NEW DELHI: The Madras high court on Wednesday granted anticipatory bail to DMK MLA Senthil Balaji and his brother Ashok Kumar in a case alleging that they offered a Rs 35 crore bribe to a TVK MLA in an attempt to influence his vote in the Assembly Speaker election. According to live law report, the court granted anticipatory bail to Balaji and his brother subject to certain conditions. It also directed both petitioners to appear before the investigating officer daily until further orders and cooperate with the investigation.During the hearing, Senior Advocate N.R. Elango, appearing for Balaji, argued that the complaint was filed two days after the alleged phone call and that there was no recording of the conversation, only call detail records (CDRs).Elango further submitted that the allegations against Balaji were based on presumptions, including claims that there was an “attempt to topple the government”.According to Live Law, Justice Ilanthiraiyan questioned Balaji’s role in the case during the hearing, observing, “What’s your role? As per FIR, there’s nothing”.Responding to the court’s query, Elango said the prosecution’s only basis against Balaji was that he was in Erode on the same day as the prime accused, the report added.
