Politics

Supreme Court Grants Bail to Former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in Money Laundering Case

On Thursday, the Supreme Court decided to release V Senthil Balaji on bail. The former Tamil Nadu minister is being investigated for money laundering as part of an alleged cash-for-jobs scam from 2014. Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih agreed to his release but imposed strict conditions.

The ruling completes their consideration, which began on August 12th. On that day they heard from lawyers including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta (representing India’s Enforcement Directorate) as well as senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, who all spoke for Balaji himself.

Before, bail for Balaji had been turned down by the high court because it said that letting him out in this situation would not look good and would damage public welfare. Judges there also pointed out that he had already spent more than eight months in prison, so if nothing else, it was important for his trial to start moving faster.

That’s why they told a special court in Chennai to wrap things up within three months of getting their written instructions: And while the case is being heard, those sessions must take place every day (except Sundays or national holidays). This follows guidelines laid down by India’s Supreme Court.

Senthil Balaji’s Arrest Timeline

Last year, on June 14th, ED officials arrested Senthil Balaji. The arrest was connected to a cash-for-jobs scam that also involved money laundering—something he allegedly did while serving as transport minister under an earlier AIADMK administration. On August 12th of 2023, there came another development: after months spent pouring over evidence in this case (some 3,000 pages worth), these very same authorities decided there was enough proof there to proceed with charges against him.

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Although being denied release several times—once already on October 19th by high court judges plus three more refusals from lower-ranking courts—Mr. Balaji has now been given bail permission following an intervention from India’s Supreme Court.

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