Former AIADMK min Senthil Balaji booked in cheating case

MADURAI: The District Crime Branch Police in Sivaganga district have booked former state transport minister V Senthil Balaji of AIADMK and two officials of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) for various offences including cheating and criminal conspiracy.
The Madurai bench of the Madras high court had on Friday adjourned the case filed by one Subbiah of Karaikudi in Sivaganga seeking direction to the Sivaganga police to register a case against the former minister, to August 23.
Subbiah said in his petition that he is working as a technical assistant in TNSTC's Karaikudi zone. The corporation's then managing director V Babu told him that minister Senthil Balaji was going to fill up vacancies in the posts of junior assistant, office assistant and technical assistant.
"Believing his words, I collected up to 60 lakh from many job aspirants and gave it to him. When he retired from the service, he assured that his successor Rengaraj would complete the task. But, he failed to do it. He just gave appointment orders to a few persons, which are said to be fake. The trio cheated me. Seeking action against them a complaint was lodged before the district crime branch police. But, the police were not taking action. Hence, it was necessary to issue direction to the police to register the complaint and proceed further," Subbiah said.
Meanwhile, one Velmurugan filed a case before the high court bench seeking action against Subbiah by stating that Subbiah assured him job in the transport corporation, but cheated him.
When both the cases had come up for hearing before Justice S Vimala on Friday, the government side sought adjournment, following which the court adjourned the case to August 23.
Now, the police have registered a case against the three persons.
It may be recalled that AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa had removed Senthil Balajai from her cabinet and from the post of Karur district secretary last year, owing to several complaints against him.