Former Minister and DMK MLA V. Senthilbalaji and his brother V. Ashok Kumar on Saturday appeared before personnel at the Triplicane police station in connection with the inquiry into an alleged attempt to poach Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam MLAs.

The inquiry was conducted when Mr. Senthilbalaji came to record his attendance, as per the conditions set by the Madras High Court for his anticipatory bail. Deputy Commissioner of Police Jayachandran personally conducted the inquiry for over an hour.

Based on a complaint alleging that an attempt was made to bribe TVK Uthangarai MLA N. Elaiyaraja with an offer of ₹35 crore, the police registered a case and arrested 14 people so far, and are continuing their investigation. The police alleged that the brothers were connected to the arrested accused and were the masterminds behind the attempt to destabilise the TVK-led government and the arrested men had attempted to bribe two other MLAs.

Mr. Senthilbalaji and his brother went into hiding after the police began their investigation and made arrests in the case. Following this, they approached the Madras High Court and obtained anticipatory bail. While granting them anticipatory bail on July 8, the court had ordered both of them to appear in person and sign at the Triplicane police station twice a day.

Published - July 25, 2026 11:47 pm IST