Chennai, Aug 21:
The Madras High Court has directed the police to file their response to the bail petition of Karthik, who was arrested in the alleged TASMAC irregularities case. The court posted the matter for further hearing on August 25.
The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had registered a case against seven persons, including former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji, alleging irregularities in liquor procurement for TASMAC, grant of bar licences and transport tenders for moving liquor to TASMAC outlets. The case relates to alleged irregularities during the 2021–25 period.
Karthik subsequently approached the High Court seeking bail. When the petition came up before Justice Lakshmi Narayanan, State Public Prosecutor John Sathyan sought time for the police to file their counter.
Karthik’s counsel opposed the request and alleged that he had been arrested in the TASMAC case on the very day he was released on bail in another case. The court, however, granted the prosecution time to respond and adjourned the matter to August 25.
The TASMAC case has seen several legal developments. The High Court recently stayed the DVAC investigation against another accused, T. Ramesh, after noting that he was allegedly arrested at the Puzhal prison gate while being released on bail in an earlier case. The court also noted that Ramesh was not named as an accused in the original FIR and stayed proceedings against him pending further hearing.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has stayed the arrest of Senthil Balaji in the TASMAC corruption case, subject to his cooperation with the investigation.