Summons issued to Senthilbalaji, his brother in connection with TVK MLA bribery attempt case

Coimbatore South MLA V. Senthilbalaji.

| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

The Greater Chennai Police (GCP) have issued summons to former Minister and DMK MLA V. Senthilbalaji and his brother V. Ashok Kumar, directing them to appear before the investigating officer on Monday in connection with a case involving the alleged attempt to bribe a TVK MLA as part of a conspiracy to topple the ruling government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.Officers attached to the Triplicane police station, where the case was registered, travelled to Rameswarapatti in Karur district and served the summons on the duo through their parents at their native. They have also issued a lookout circular against Mr. Senthilbalaji and Mr. Ashok Kumar to prevent them from leaving the country and facilitate their detention at immigration checkpoints, if necessary.A senior police officer said the summons were served through their family members, directing the duo to appear before the investigating officer and join the ongoing investigation.N. Ilayaraja, the TVK MLA representing the Uthangarai Assembly constituency in Krishnagiri district, recently received a phone call from one Thirunavukkarasu, who runs Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IPDS). According to the complaint, Thirunavukkarasu contacted the MLA at the behest of certain functionaries of a major political party and requested a personal meeting. However, the complainant informed him that he was occupied with other work and ended the call.Subsequently, Thirunavukkarasu again contacted the MLA and allegedly said a resolution would soon be moved in the Assembly against the Speaker. He allegedly urged the MLA to cooperate during the voting on the proposed no-confidence motion, irrespective of his affiliation with the ruling party, and offered him up to ₹35 crore in return. Shocked by the proposal, Mr. Ilayaraja firmly declined the offer, stating that he had no interest, and told Thirunavukkarasu not to contact him again. Thereafter, Thirunavukkarasu allegedly threatened him that if the conversation was disclosed, the MLA and his family would face serious consequences.On June 29, the MLA lodged a complaint with the GCP against Thirunavukkarasu for allegedly attempting to bribe and influence him. Based on the complaint, a case was registered at the Triplicane police station.8 persons arrestedDuring the investigation, on Wednesday, the police arrested Thirunavukkarasu of Arumbakkam, along with Naresh of Tiruchi and Thiyagarajan of Medavakkam. They were later remanded in judicial custody.Investigation allegedly revealed that Mr. Ashok Kumar had met Naresh in Chennai. The inquiry indicated that Thirunavukkarasu contacted the MLA and carried out the alleged acts on the instructions of Senthilbalaji and Ashok Kumar, the police said. Since registering an FIR in the case, the police have been on the lookout for the duo.On Thursday, the police also arrested Selvan, 54, of Pallikaranai, E.M. Srinivasan, 46, of Madambakkam, Rajesh, 43, of Chromepet, Karthik, 43, and Ramesh, 45, of Karur district.The police said the investigation revealed that Karthik and Ramesh held discussions with Naresh at star hotels along East Coast Road (ECR), allegedly seeking the cooperation of TVK MLAs during the proposed no-confidence motion against the Speaker. They allegedly promised a payment of ₹35 crore in return for such cooperation. Acting on this plan, Naresh, through his associate Thiyagarajan, allegedly invited Srinivasan, Selvan, and Rajesh to a star hotel in Guindy, where they conspired to execute the proposed plan.Sources said the gang were offered ₹3 crore by their handlers to accomplish the deal and they also contacted a few other TVK MLAs in Chennai and Thoothukudi for the purpose. Published - July 04, 2026 07:00 pm IST