The Supreme Court on Monday reprimanded Tamil Nadu government minister Senthil Balaji. The court said- It was surprising to know that Senthil Balaji was made a minister in the Tamil Nadu government immediately after getting bail in the money laundering case related to the cash for job scam.
Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih said- We grant bail and the next day you go and become a minister. In such a situation, it can be thought that the witnesses will be under pressure because of your position as a senior cabinet minister. What is happening?
In fact, the Supreme Court was hearing the petition in which it granted bail to Senthil Balaji on September 26. The petition has asked the court to reverse the decision. The petition said that Senthil becoming a minister would put pressure on the witnesses.
The bench refused to withdraw the verdict, but said it would limit the scope of the inquiry into whether there was pressure on the witnesses. The bench has asked Balaji's counsel to seek instructions in this regard. The next hearing of this case will be conducted after December 13.
The picture is from September 28. Senthil Balaji was again made a minister in the Stalin government. Senthil Balaji in the back row. (third from right)
Got bail on 26th September, became minister on 28th Balaji was the Transport Minister in the AIADMK regime from 2011-16. Senthil's name came to light in the scam involving taking cash bribes in return for jobs. After this he joined the Dravida Munnetra Kadgam (DMK) in December 2018.
DMK came to power in Tamil Nadu in May 2021. Senthil was made the Minister of Energy. On June 14, 2024, the ED arrested him on charges of money laundering. He was dismissed from the Council of Ministers on 29 June.
Almost three months later, on September 26, the Supreme Court granted conditional bail to Senthil. Just two days later, on 28 September, Senthil returned as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government. Currently he is holding the Ministry of Power, Excise and Excise.
Senthil Balaji wept profusely on his arrest
This picture is from June 14, Senthil Balaji crying in a car.
Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 in a money laundering case. A day ago ED reached his house early in the morning. He was interrogated for 24 hours.
During ED proceedings and interrogation, Senthil complained of chest pain. After this he was taken to the Government Medical College in Chennai for medical examination. Here he was seen crying.
Tamil Nadu Law Minister S Raghupathi said that Senthil Balaji was targeted and harassed. ED was interrogating him continuously for 24 hours. This is completely against human rights.
DMK Rajya Sabha MP NR Elango said Balaji was under house arrest. He was not allowed to see any friend, relative or his lawyer till 2.30 am on June 14.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
