TVK MLA poaching case: High Court transfers Senthil Balaji's brother's bail plea

The Madras High Court on Monday transferred the anticipatory bail plea of RV Ashok Kumar, brother of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, in the alleged TVK MLA horse-trading case to the special bench that hears matters involving MPs and MLAs.

Ashok Kumar has moved the High Court seeking protection from arrest in the case. In his petition, he argued that the FIR does not accuse him of contacting the TVK legislator, offering any bribe, or issuing threats. He claimed he had been falsely implicated because of his relationship with Senthil Balaji and alleged that the case was politically motivated.

During the hearing, the state sought additional time to file its counter affidavit and submitted that the matter should be heard by the designated MP-MLA bench since it concerns allegations involving a sitting legislator.

Accepting the request, Justice C Kumarappan directed the Registry to place the petition before the appropriate bench and adjourned the matter to July 8.

The anticipatory bail plea will now come up before Justice GK Ilanthiraiyan, who presides over cases involving Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly.

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