CHENNAI: DMK leader Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the ED in a corruption case, has been removed from his minister post by the Tamil Nadu Governor. Governor RN Ravi's unusual move pointed out that Senthil Balaji's continued tenure as a minister would affect the investigation into the appointment bribery case. Senthil Balaji is resting in Kaveri Hospital after the bypass surgery, although the court extended the ED custody till July 12.

After the arrest of Senthil Balaji in the corruption case, the governor had taken a stand that he cannot continue as a minister. Governor had made his displeasure public following the Chief Minister's decision to redistribute the portfolios held by Senthil Balaji to other ministers in the Cabinet. RN Ravi said that Senthil Balaji cannot continue as a minister without a department, but Stalin responded by issuing a special ordinance against this.

Senthil Balaji is accused of accepting bribes in connection with appointments in the Tamil Nadu Transport Corporation when he was the Transport Minister in the AIADMK cabinet between 2011-2015. On the 13th, the ED investigation team arrested the minister. On a habeas corpus petition filed by the family, the Madras High Court allowed Senthil to be admitted to Kaveri Hospital in Chennai. He underwent emergency surgery after that. Presently, Senthil Balaji is appearing in court through video conference from the hospital.