Chennai, July 30: The Madras High Court on Thursday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of former Tamil Nadu minister and DMK MLA V. Senthil Balaji. This case is linked to allegations of large-scale corruption involving the Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) as per the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC). He also claimed that the case was politically motivated, stemming from animosity from the ruling party following the Karur stampede controversy. Ilango, representing Balaji, argued that TASMAC operates as an independent corporation, with no role for the minister in awarding tenders or managing daily operations. The court deemed custodial interrogation necessary to uncover the conspiracy and financial irregularities, leading to the rejection of Balaji’s anticipatory bail plea.