Cash for Jobs Scam: Chennai Court Extends TN Minister Senthil Balaji Judicial Custody Till Aug 25

A Chennai court on Saturday extended the judicial custody of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested in connection with a money laundering case, until August 25, 2023.

Senthil Balaji was presented before a sessions court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the completion of his custody.

Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, presiding over the proceedings, extended Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody until August 25.

The judge had previously granted the ED a 5-day custody of Senthil Balaji on August 7 for interrogation purposes in relation to the case. With the custody period concluding on Saturday, the ED produced him before the judge.

Balaji was arrested in June in connection with alleged irregularities in the selection of bus conductors, drivers, and junior engineers within the Tamil Nadu transport department. These appointments were executed during Balaji’s tenure as the Transport Minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government between 2011 and 2015. Balaji subsequently aligned with the DMK in 2018.