Cash for Jobs Scam: SC Seeks ED Response on TN Minister V Senthil Balaji Plea

The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the pleas filed by Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife Megala.

The pleas challenge the July 14 order of the Madras High Court, which upheld Balaji’s arrest by the probe agency in a money laundering case.

A bench comprising Justice A S Bopanna and Justice M M Sundresh issued a notice to the ED in relation to the pleas and scheduled the matter for hearing on July 26, 2023.

V Senthil Balaji and his wife have filed separate petitions in the Apex Court challenging the High Court’s order, which upheld his arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering case.

The case pertains to the alleged irregularities in the appointment of bus conductors in the State transport department, along with the appointment of drivers and junior engineers. These appointments took place during Balaji’s tenure as the Transport Minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015. Subsequently, Balaji joined the DMK in 2018.

After being remanded by a sessions court, Balaji was placed under judicial custody. However, he was later transferred to a private hospital for bypass surgery instead of being sent to prison.

Meanwhile, Balaji’s wife filed a habeas corpus petition before the High Court seeking his release. The division bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on the plea, leading to the appointment of a third judge to decide the matter.

Justice Kartikeyan, the tie-breaker judge, upheld the legality of Balaji’s arrest by the ED. Consequently, the High Court could not quash the arrest to release the minister from custody, as ruled by Justice Karthikeyan.

In response to Justice Karthikeyan’s verdict against Balaji, an appeal was filed before the Supreme Court.