The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) conducted search operations on March 8, 2023, at nine locations in relation to Thiru Senthil Balaji, a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) who was apprehended in a cash-for-jobs fraud and is currently in Central Prison, Puzhal, under judicial custody.
Three FIRs linked to the “Cash for Jobs Scam” that was filed by the Central Crime Branch (CCB) in Chennai served as the foundation for the probe launched by the ED. During the inquiry, intelligence reports suggested that ST Saminathan, one of V. Senthil Balaji’s close friends, had damning papers or other evidence of the crime and had tried to move or hide them. As a result, searches were done at his location. During the search, it was revealed that Smt. Shanti, ST Saminathan’s sister-in-law, was transporting bags carrying valuables and papers while serving as ST Saminathan’s benami. The investigation teams therefore searched Smt. Shanti’s property.
Smt. Shanthi was supposed to be there, but she wasn’t. Investigation and further review of the CCTV video indicated that the bags had been given to the Driver, Thiru Shiva. After learning about the searches at Smt. Shanti’s home, Shiva had already fled and shut off his mobile phone when his home was searched. Cash totalling Rs. 22 lakhs and unaccounted valuables worth Rs. 16.6 lakhs, as well as mysterious property paperwork for 60 land lots, were discovered during the search of Shiva’s home.
Smt. Shanti, a homemaker, refused to cooperate and took no role in the search operations. Her lack of a source of income was discovered by the ED. Shiva acknowledged in his testimony that Smt. Shanthi handed him the bags out of concern that damaging information might be uncovered.
According to the current inquiry, it looks like ST Saminathan, a close friend of V. Senthil Balaji, is the owner of the cash and items that were confiscated. Further research is now being conducted.
