Cash-For-Jobs Scam: Chennai Court Extends V Senthil Balaji Judicial Custody Till July 12

The Chennai Principal Sessions Court recently extended the judicial custody of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji by two weeks in the ‘cash for jobs’ scam case.

Balaji, who is presently recovering from a bypass surgery at a private hospital in the city, will remain in judicial custody until July 12th, 2023.

Via videoconferencing, the DMK leader was presented before Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, who inquired about his well-being. Balaji responded by saying, “it is paining.”

On June 14th, the Principal Judge remanded Balaji to judicial custody for 14 days. The following day, she granted permission to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to interrogate the Minister during his hospital stay.

However, on June 24th, the ED submitted a memo to the Sessions Court, requesting to withdraw their plea for Balaji’s custodial interrogation. They explained that due to the Minister’s health condition and the restrictions at the hospital, they were unable to question him effectively.

Balaji was arrested after undergoing questioning by the ED in a money laundering case. The charges stem from his tenure as Transport Minister under the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015.