Fri Sep 27 20:05:32 UTC 2024: ## Former Minister Senthil Balaji Released From Prison After 471 Days
**Chennai:** Former Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji, who was imprisoned for 15 months in connection with a money laundering case, was released from Puzhal prison on Tuesday after the Supreme Court granted him bail with certain conditions.
Balaji’s release was met with celebration by DMK supporters who burst firecrackers and distributed sweets to the public. Upon his release, Balaji went straight to Chennai airport to greet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who had just returned from a visit to Delhi.
In a heartfelt post on X, Balaji expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, stating, “471 days of solitary confinement ended, stepping into the sunlight… I thought of you every day, every minute, every second, Leader! You were my protector like Tayumanavar… My life is dedicated to you… I will forever be indebted to your trust and love!”
Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2022 and has been in prison since then. The Supreme Court granted him bail on Monday, allowing him to walk free after a long period of incarceration.
First Piper 