DMK MLA and former Minister V. Senthilbalaji and his brother Ashok Kumar failed to appear for an inquiry on Monday, despite being summoned by the Triplicane police in connection with an alleged bid to bribe the TVK’s Uthangarai MLA, N. Elaiyaraja, as part of a conspiracy to topple the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.Last week, officers attached to the Triplicane police station travelled to Rameswarapatti village in Karur district and served the summons on the brothers through their parents at their residence. They were directed to appear before the investigating officer at 11 a.m. on Monday.Sources said the brothers failed to appear as directed. The next course of action would be decided after consultations with legal experts and senior police officers, the sources added.Dr. Elaiyaraja had alleged that he was contacted by a man named Thirunavukkarasu at the behest of certain functionaries of a major political party.According to the complaint, Thirunavukkarasu had sought the MLA’s cooperation during a vote on a proposed no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker, and had offered him up to ₹35 crore in return.Based on the complaint lodged by the MLA with the Chennai City Police Commissioner, the Triplicane police registered a case and arrested Thirunavukkarasu of Arumbakkam, Naresh of Tiruchi, Thiyagarajan of Medavakkam, and six others.The police said the investigation had revealed that Ashok Kumar met Naresh in Chennai. The probe also indicated that Thirunavukkarasu had contacted the MLA and carried out the alleged bribery attempt on the instructions of Mr. Senthilbalaji and Mr. Ashok Kumar, the police added.Sources added fresh summons may be issued to the former Minister and his brother and efforts would be intensified to trace them as well. Published - July 07, 2026 12:24 am IST