SC Grants Bail To Former TN Minister Senthil Balaji

Senthil Balaji

The Supreme Court on Thursday has granted bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji in connection with a money laundering case associated with the cash-for-jobs scandal.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih observed that there had been significant delays in the trial proceedings.

The court stated, “Bail has been granted; however, stringent conditions have been imposed.” Following this ruling, DMK MP and Advocate N.R. Elango remarked, “The Supreme Court has granted bail to V. Senthil Balaji, who has been incarcerated as an under-trial prisoner in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) case for over 15 months. The protracted delays in both the predicate offense and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case have been noted. The bail comes with conditions requiring him to report to the ED bi-weekly, to refrain from tampering with witnesses, and to surrender his passport.”

Senthil Balaji had previously challenged a Madras High Court order that denied him bail. He was arrested on June 14, 2023, in connection with a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as Transport Minister under the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government.

The Enforcement Case Information Report related to this case was filed under the PMLA in 2021, stemming from three First Information Reports (FIRs) lodged by local police in 2018 regarding his alleged involvement in the cash-for-jobs scheme from 2015.

The allegations date back to his time as Transport Minister during the AIADMK government from 2011 to 2015. Balaji joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and took office as Electricity Minister after the party assumed power in May 2021.