Madras HC Stays DVAC Probe Against Senthil Balaji's Associate T Ramesh

The Madras High Court has granted an interim stay on the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) investigation against T Ramesh, an associate of former minister V Senthil Balaji, in connection with the alleged Tasmac irregularities case. Ramesh had been arrested at the gate of Puzhal central prison while being released on bail on July 30.

A first bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan passed the order after taking note of the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the fact that his name was omitted from the initial police complaint.

Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate V Ragavachari submitted that Ramesh was not named anywhere in the First Information Report (FIR) registered on July 28 relating to the alleged Tasmac irregularities.

The bench observed that this absence from the initial complaint was significant, noting that the petitioner is not an accused in the present case. To balance the rights and protect the interests involved, the court ordered an interim stay on all further proceedings and investigations concerning Ramesh pending the disposal of his writ petition.

According to the petitioner, who runs a fitness centre in Karur, he was unlawfully subjected to custody despite not being named in the FIR. He further alleged that while in police custody, he was coerced into making false statements to implicate former minister Senthil Balaji and his brother in the case.