New Delhi, July 31 : DMK MLA and former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji on Friday secured interim protection from arrest from the Supreme Court in the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) case alleging large-scale corruption in the functioning of the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC).

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant issued notice on Balaji's special leave petition (SLP) challenging the Madras High Court's refusal to grant him anticipatory bail.

Subject to Balaji joining and fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation, the bench ordered that his arrest will remain stayed till further orders.

The apex court also directed Balaji to deposit his passport with the investigating officer, cooperate fully with the probe and ensure that no witnesses are influenced during the pendency of the proceedings.

The matter has been posted for further hearing after three weeks.

Earlier in the day, Justice V. Mohana recused herself from hearing the matter, following which CJI Surya Kant informed the parties that the case would be taken up by a Bench comprising himself and Justice Joymalya Bagchi later in the day, owing to its urgency.

When the matter was taken up subsequently, senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government, opposed the grant of anticipatory bail, contending that the allegations related to a serious corruption case involving hundreds of crores of rupees.

He argued that there was a risk of evidence being destroyed and referred to Balaji's criminal antecedents, submitting that he should not be granted blanket protection from arrest.

Responding to the submissions, the bench remarked that the investigation should proceed independently and said: "If he is guilty, he will have to face consequences."

When the state government expressed apprehension that custodial interrogation might become necessary during the course of the investigation, Justice Bagchi observed that the top court would ensure Balaji's participation in the probe and that he would not interfere with the investigation.

"If there is any breach or any perception of breach, come to us," he told the Tamil Nadu government.

On Thursday, Balaji had approached the Supreme Court challenging the Madras High Court's order rejecting his anticipatory bail plea in the DVAC case.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal had on Thursday mentioned Balaji's special leave petition (SLP) for urgent listing before the CJI-led Bench. The apex court agreed to list the matter for hearing on Friday, subject to removal of defects, if any.

Balaji moved the apex court after the Madras High Court declined to grant him pre-arrest bail in the DVAC case alleging large-scale corruption in the functioning of TASMAC.

Dismissing the anticipatory bail plea, the Madras High Court had held that the nature of the allegations warranted custodial interrogation and observed that the case involved serious charges of large-scale corruption. A single-judge Bench of Justice G.K. Ilanthiraiyan had also taken note of the prosecution's contention that the accused allegedly abused their official positions, entered into a criminal conspiracy and caused substantial financial loss to the state exchequer.

The case stems from an FIR registered by the DVAC on July 28 against Balaji and several others over alleged irregularities in TASMAC between 2021 and 2025, when he served as Minister for Electricity, Prohibition and Excise in the M.K. Stalin-led DMK government.

According to the prosecution, Balaji conspired with several others, including private individuals, distillery and brewery companies, transport contractors, bottling firms and unidentified TASMAC officials, to manipulate official processes, misappropriate public funds and facilitate the laundering of illicit money, causing substantial losses to the state.

Seeking anticipatory bail before the Madras High Court, Balaji denied the allegations, contending that the FIR was based on vague and omnibus accusations without identifying any specific tender, contract or transaction linking him to the alleged offences. He also claimed that the case was politically motivated and registered due to hostility from the ruling party following the Karur stampede controversy.

However, the High Court held that the gravity of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation outweighed the grounds urged by the defence and concluded that custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the alleged conspiracy and financial irregularities.

/IANS