Money Laundering Case: SC To Hear DMK Minister V Senthil Balaji’s Plea On Tuesday

The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear a Plea filed by DMK minister V Senthil Balaji challenging a Madras High Court order that dismissed his bail plea on October 19, citing concerns that he might influence witnesses if released on bail.

Earlier the top court had directed DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, to submit his latest medical reports for examination.

A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma had directed senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Balaji, to provide the medical reports and scheduled the matter for further hearing on November 28.

The Madras high court, while dismissing the bail plea, remarked that based on Balaji’s health report, it did not appear to be a medical condition that could only be addressed if he were released on bail.

The high court also cited Balaji’s past conduct, his current position as a minister without portfolio, the abscondence of his brother Ashok Kumar, and an alleged attack on Income Tax Officials by Balaji’s supporters during earlier searches as reasons for its decision.

Balaji was arrested on June 14 by the ED in connection with a money laundering case related to a cash-for-jobs scam that occurred when he was the Transport Minister in a previous AIADMK regime.