Chennai, Aug 12 (IANS): A court in Chennai has extended the judicial custody of jailed Tamil Nadu minister, Senthil Balaji till August 25.
The minister who was arrested on June 14 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case, will now be back in Puzhal central prison, Chennai, after a five-day custodial interrogation by Enforcement Directorate officials.
The minister, after his arrest on June 14 complained of chest pain and later was found to be having three blocks in his coronary artery. Later, an open heart surgery was conducted to remove the blocks.
The minister was operated at the private Kaveri Hospital in Chennai after the Madras High Court granted permission.
The Enforcement Directorate has also filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against the minister in the money laundering case.
Sources in the DMK told IANS that the Enforcement Directorate has sought five more days' custody of the minister.
The counsel for the minister, R. Elango told mediapersons that he would move a bail petition on August 16 on behalf of Senthil Balaji.
It may be noted that Balaji was arrested in a case related to the cash for job scam in which the minister is allegedly involved.