THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Chennai, March 6: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday conducted raids at over 10 locations in Tamil Nadu as part of a money laundering investigation.
According to sources, the operation targeted the residences of State Excise Minister Senthil Balaji and his associates. A team of more than 10 ED officials carried out the searches, with CRPF personnel deployed for security.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also raided the residence of Mani Subramaniam, owner of Kongu Mess in Rayanur, Karur district.
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Searches were conducted at the homes of government contractor M. Shankar Anand on Erode Road and Karthi, owner of Shakti Mess—both known to be close associates of Minister Senthil Balaji. Additionally, the ED carried out a raid at the SDPI office in Mannadi, Chennai.
Minister Senthil Balaji faces serious allegations of financial fraud, corruption, and money laundering, which are being thoroughly investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Reports suggest that relevant documents have been seized as part of the probe.
Notably, on September 26 last year, the Supreme Court granted Senthil Balaji bail in a money laundering case.
Three days later, on September 29, he was reinstated as Tamil Nadu’s Minister for Electricity, Prohibition, and Excise—a position he had previously held from May 2021 to June 2023. However, on December 2, 2024, the Supreme Court expressed concerns over the Tamil Nadu government’s decision to reinstate him.
