Money Laundering Case: Chennai Court Extends Senthil Balaji’s Custody till Feb 20

A Chennai sessions court has extended the remand of former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji until February 20, 2024.

He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2023 in a money laundering case.

Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, before whom Senthil Balaji was produced by the prosecution via video-conferencing from the Puzhal Central Prison, extended his judicial custody until February 20.

Additionally, Balaji’s counsel informed the court that the DMK leader has filed a petition to discharge him from the money laundering case.

Originally, the judge had on January 11 scheduled the case for framing charges against Balaji. However, during the hearing on January 22, Senior counsel S Prabakaran, representing Balaji, informed the court that the DMK leader has filed a petition to defer the trial until the disposal of the predicate offence.

After hearing extensive arguments from both sides, the judge dismissed the petition filed by Balaji on February 15. The court also directed the police to produce Balaji in person on that day.

During the hearing, Balaji’s counsel informed the court that Balaji has filed a petition to discharge him from the money laundering case. He also requested the court to postpone the framing of charges. Subsequently, Balaji was produced via video conferencing, and his remand was extended until February 20.

Meanwhile, Justice N Anand Venkatesh of the Madras High Court has rescheduled the further hearing of the bail petition filed by Balaji to February 21, accepting the request made by senior counsel C Aryama Sundaram in this regard.

In his discharge petition, Balaji submitted that there was no evidence to establish that he and the other co-accused conspired prior to the commission of the offence. He further argued that the prosecution’s case lacks proof of the criminal conspiracy. He emphasized the need for the court to consider the admissibility, reliability, and probative value of the evidence.

Balaji was arrested on June 14, 2023, by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the Transport-Minister in an earlier AIADMK regime.

His resignation as a Minister from the M K Stalin-led state cabinet was accepted by Governor RN Ravi on Tuesday.