Tamil Nadu Bribery Plot Targets TVK MLA, DMK Leader Sought
In Tamil Nadu, India, a ₹35-crore bribery plot allegedly orchestrated by former DMK minister V. Senthilbalaji and his brother aimed to secure a TVK MLA’s vote against the Speaker during a no-confidence motion, threatening Chief Minister Joseph Vijay’s government. Eight individuals were arrested, including key intermediary Thirunavukkarasu. Senthilbalaji and his brother skipped police summons but later obtained anticipatory bail from the Madras High Court, with investigations extending to Bengaluru.
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Three men arrested in Tamil Nadu for attempting to bribe TVK MLA; political turmoil ensues
The Greater Chennai Police arrested three men for attempting to bribe Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) MLA N. Elaiyaraja to vote during a no-confidence motion against the Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker. Tamil Nadu Minister R. Nirmalkumar accused DMK leaders M.K. Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin of tasking former Minister V. Senthilbalaji with offering up to ₹50 crore to TVK MLAs to topple the government. Separately, TVK and its post-poll allies (Congress, IUML, VCK, MDMK) held their first meeting to formalize a political alliance with a coordination committee. Other news includes the funeral of poet Puviyarasu with State honours, the Madras High Court refusing to dismiss a suit against Nadigar Sangam office-bearers, and Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay urging PM Modi to modify provisions of the VB-G RAM G Act.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Chennai Police Expand Probe into TVK MLA Poaching Case; Conspiracy Targeted 15 Legislators
The Chennai police have widened their investigation into an alleged attempt to poach MLAs from the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), claiming the conspiracy aimed to lure at least 15 legislators with offers of ₹30 crore to ₹35 crore each. The prime accused, Thirunavukkarasu, formulated the plan under the code name 'Meghalaya Project'. Intermediaries were promised ₹5 crore for every successful deal. Based on a complaint from TVK's Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja, who was offered ₹35 crore to defy the party whip, 12 persons have been arrested. The police allege that Thirunavukkarasu's confession named former Minister and DMK MLA V. Senthilbalaji and his brother as involved. Investigators have collected electronic evidence, CCTV footage, and seized 200 property documents and cash. Five hawala operators from Bengaluru, Chennai, and Tiruppur are also implicated. Additionally, TV anchor Vijayan was questioned and his mobile phone seized for forensic analysis. The proprietors of Deepam Finance were arrested for handling advance money meant for bribing MLAs.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.ED Investigates Money Laundering in Tamil Nadu MLA Horse-Trading Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has obtained case documents from the Greater Chennai Police regarding an alleged ₹35 crore MLA horse-trading scandal in Tamil Nadu. The case stems from a complaint by Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja of the ruling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), who claimed that Thirunavukkarasu, owner of Indian Political Democratic Strategies (IDPS), offered him a bribe to support a no-confidence motion against the Speaker. Police arrested Thirunavukkarasu and two associates, seizing ₹60 lakh in unaccounted cash and finding evidence of hawala transactions. Investigations revealed that one suspect, Naresh, met V. Ashok Kumar, brother of former DMK Minister V. Senthilbalaji, and that the bribe attempt was allegedly orchestrated by Senthilbalaji and his brother. The Madras High Court granted conditional anticipatory bail to both Senthilbalaji and Ashok Kumar on July 8, 2026. The ED is now probing potential money laundering angles in the case.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Madras High Court grants anticipatory bail to Senthilbalaji and brother in TVK MLA bribery case
The Madras High Court granted anticipatory bail to former DMK minister V. Senthilbalaji and his brother R.V. Ashok Kumar in a case involving an alleged ₹35 crore bribe offer to TVK MLA N. Elayaraja. Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan ordered the petitioners to appear before the investigating officer twice daily and cooperate with the probe. Defense counsel argued the case was politically motivated and no money changed hands, while the prosecution claimed it was a serious attempt to destabilize the government, involving hawala money and targeting multiple MLAs. The investigation, led by Greater Chennai police, has extended to Bengaluru with further revelations expected.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Former DMK Minister Senthilbalaji Seeks Anticipatory Bail in ₹35-Crore Bribery Case
Former DMK Minister and incumbent Coimbatore South MLA V. Senthilbalaji has filed an anticipatory bail petition in the Madras High Court regarding a ₹35-crore bribery case involving TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja. The case stems from an FIR registered by Triplicane police on June 30, based on a complaint that the MLA was offered a bribe to vote against a TVK whip. Senthilbalaji argues his name is not in the FIR and alleges political motives. His petition is expected to be heard on July 8 by Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, alongside a similar petition by his brother R.V. Ashok Kumar. The FIR names four individuals under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.DMK MLA Senthilbalaji and Brother Skip Police Inquiry Over Bribery Allegations
DMK MLA and former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji and his brother Ashok Kumar failed to appear for a police inquiry on July 6, 2026, despite being summoned by the Triplicane police in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe TVK MLA N. Elaiyaraja. The bribery plot, reportedly involving up to ₹35 crore, was aimed at securing the MLA's support for a no-confidence motion against the Assembly Speaker, as part of a conspiracy to topple the government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay. Police had served summons at the brothers' residence in Rameswarapatti village, Karur district, through their parents. Six other individuals, including a key intermediary named Thirunavukkarasu, have already been arrested. Authorities are consulting legal experts and senior officers to decide the next steps, and fresh summons may be issued as efforts to trace the brothers intensify.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Police Summon DMK MLA Senthilbalaji and Brother in TVK Bribery Case
The Greater Chennai Police have summoned former minister and DMK MLA V. Senthilbalaji and his brother V. Ashok Kumar in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe a TVK MLA as part of a conspiracy to topple Chief Minister Joseph Vijay's government. The police issued a lookout circular to prevent the duo from leaving the country. The case originated from a complaint by TVK MLA N. Ilayaraja, who stated he was offered ₹35 crore by a consultant named Thirunavukkarasu to support a no-confidence motion. Eight individuals have already been arrested, including Thirunavukkarasu and others linked to the alleged conspiracy. Investigations revealed that the alleged bribery scheme was orchestrated by Senthilbalaji and Ashok Kumar, with meetings held at star hotels in Chennai to secure cooperation from TVK MLAs.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Five More Arrested in Bribery Plot Targeting TVK MLA
On July 2, 2026, Tamil Nadu police arrested five more individuals in connection with an alleged attempt to bribe a TVK MLA to vote against the Speaker during a no-confidence motion, bringing total arrests to eight. The accused—Selvan, Srinivasan, Rajesh, Ramesh, and Karthik—were produced before the Principal Sessions Court and remanded in judicial custody. Karthik is identified as a close associate of former Minister and DMK MLA V. Senthilbalaji. The remand was delayed as the court scrutinized additional documents naming Senthilbalaji and his brother V. Ashok Kumar. The case stems from a complaint by Uthangarai MLA N. Elayaraja, who alleged he was offered up to ₹35 crore by Thirunavukkarasu, acting on behalf of a major political party, to cooperate during the no-confidence motion. Police are investigating whether more MLAs were approached and plan to question Senthilbalaji and his brother.
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