Money Laundering Case: SC Seeks Response From ED On Bail Plea Of Former TN Minister Senthil Balaji

The Supreme Court on Monday has sought response from the ED on the bail plea of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who got arrested last year in connection with a money laundering case.

The bench comprising of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan issued notice to the agency and directed it to file reply by April 29.

Previously on February 28, the Madras High Court, while dismissing the bail petition, stated that if he is let out on bail in a case of this nature, it will send a wrong signal and that it will be against larger public interest.

It stated that the petitioner has suffered incarceration for more than 8 months and therefore, it will be more appropriate to direct the special court to dispose of the case within a time frame.

It ordered, “Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the Principal Special Court, Chennai, to dispose of the case within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.”

The high court ordered that the trial shall be conducted on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the guidelines given by the apex court.

On June 14 last year, Balaji got arrested by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam when he was the Transport minister during an earlier AIADMK regime.

On August 12 last year, the ED filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against Balaji.

On October 19, the high court dismissed Balaji’s earlier bail plea. A local court also dismissed his bail petitions thrice.