Police have launched an extensive manhunt for Ashok Kumar, brother of former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji, following fresh arrests in connection with an alleged ₹35 crore bribery attempt to influence a legislator’s vote during a proposed no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker. The development comes after the arrest of three additional suspects in Bengaluru, whose interrogation reportedly revealed links between Kumar and the alleged conspiracy. The accused have been identified as Selvam (54), Srinivasan (46), and Rajesh (43), all hailing from different parts of Chennai.
The case originated from a complaint filed on June 29 by N. Elaiyaraja, a legislator from the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) representing the Uthangarai constituency in Krishnagiri district. In his complaint, Elaiyaraja alleged that a Chennai-based individual, Thirunavukkarasu, approached him on behalf of members of a major political party with an offer of ₹35 crore in exchange for voting against the Speaker during a proposed no-confidence motion.
The MLA further claimed that he was threatened with serious consequences for himself and his family after refusing the offer. Acting on the complaint, the Triplicane police registered a case and arrested Thirunavukkarasu along with Naresh and Thiagarajan on July 1. All three were subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
During the course of the investigation, police alleged that the accused were acting on the advice of Balaji and his brother Kumar. A case has been registered against them under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with charges of criminal conspiracy and criminal intimidation.
A special police team later travelled to Karur and arrested two more suspects, Karthik (43) and Ramesh (45), for allegedly assisting in the operation. They were brought to Chennai for further questioning.
Subsequent leads from their interrogation resulted in the arrest of three more individuals in Bengaluru on Friday. Investigators revealed that key meetings had taken place at a hotel on Chennai’s East Coast Road, where plans were discussed to approach and influence the MLA during the anticipated motion in the Legislative Assembly.
Police officials confirmed that Ashok Kumar is currently absconding and that efforts are underway to trace his whereabouts. The investigation into the alleged bribery network is ongoing, with authorities indicating that further arrests cannot be ruled out.
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