Madras HC Reserves Orders On Petitions In Connection With Minister Senthil Balaji

The Madras High Court on Friday reserved its orders regarding writ petitions concerning the status of Minister V Senthil Balaji’s position in the Cabinet, despite his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.

The bench comprising of Chief Justice SV Gangapurwala and Justice PD Audikesavalu, reserved the orders after hearing comprehensive arguments from both sides.

Earlier, on July 29, the bench instructed both parties to submit their written submissions in the case. In response, the petitioners and the State government filed their written submissions on Friday.

One of the writ petitions, filed by advocate M L Ravi, sought to nullify the Tamil Nadu Governor’s order dismissing Senthil Balaji from his position as well as the subsequent order to suspend the same action.

The other two writ petitions questioned the authority under which Senthil Balaji was holding the post of minister.

Senthil Balaji, arrested by the ED on June 14, 2023, in connection with a money laundering case, has been continuing as a Minister without portfolio. He is currently in judicial custody at Puzhal central prison.

The ED’s arrest followed the registration of FIR and an investigation by the police into alleged bribes paid in 2017 by job applicants to secure positions in state-run transport corporations.

During a submission made on July 28, Advocate General R Shanmughasundaram asserted that the Governor can’t unilaterally remove Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers.

On June 29, Governor Ravi initially rejected Minister Senthil Balaji from the Cabinet; however, the Raj Bhavan swiftly put the unprecedented order on hold within hours.