Supreme Court Grant Bail To Ex Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji In Money Laundering Case (image- twitter/ V.Senthilbalaji)

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. A bench consisting of Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih had put some stringent bail conditions while granting relief.

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last year. According to ED, the alleged scam took place between 2011 and 2015, when Balaji served as the Tamil Nadu transport minister under the AIADMK government led by  Jayalalithaa.

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The Supreme Court had reserved its verdict on August 12 after hearing submissions of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Senthil Balaji.

The high court dismissing Senthil’s bail plea had said that if he was let on bail in a case of this nature, it would send a wrong signal and be against the larger public interest.

The high court had said since the petitioner was in custody for more than eight months, it would be appropriate to direct the special court to dispose of the case within a time frame.

“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,” it had ordered.

The ED had filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against him on August 12 last year. Balaji was arrested by the ED when he was the electricity minister under Chief Minister MK Stalin of the DMK.

After he complained of chest pain during the arrest, he was taken to Omandurar government hospital and subsequently allowed to be shifted to Kauvery Hospital where he underwent a bypass surgery. Following his treatment, Balaji was shifted to the Puzhal Central Prison.

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Senthil resigned from his post nine months after his arrest in February 2024.

The court also noted that as Balaji had been in custody for over eight months, it would be appropriate for the special court to expedite the case.

His bail plea was earlier dismissed twice, in September 2023 and June 2023 by the District Sessions Court.