Supreme Court grants bail to ex-Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in cash-for-jobs money laundering case

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Tamil Nadu Minister for Transport Department V Senthil Balaji. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader faces allegations in a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam.

A bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, while granting the bail to the DMK leader said there has been a delay in the trial. “Bail granted, but there are very onerous conditions put in the bail,” the bench said, according to newswire ANI.

DMK MP and Advocate NR Elango told ANI, “The SC granted bail to V Senthil Balaji who is incarcerated in the prison as an under-trial prisoner in an ED case for more than 15 months. The long delay which has occurred...could be there in conducting the trials in the predicate offence as well as the PMLA case."

NR Elango added, “The bail has been granted imposing certain conditions that he should appear before the Enforcement Directorate twice a week, he should not tamper with the witnesses and surrender his passport.”

When V Senthil Balaji was Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime, he was arrested on June 14, 2023, in a cash-for-jobs money laundering case.

Following the Supreme Court's ruling, supporters of V Senthil Balaji marked his bail with celebrations. DMK local strongman's supporters and local DMK workers burst crackers and raised slogans lauding the former minister. Meanwhile, some party workers enthusiastically waved DMK flags after the former minister was granted bail.

Last year, on August 12, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against V Senthil Balaji after apprehending him on June 14. Notably, this bail comes after several rejections of bail pleas. The high court dismissed the DMK leader's bail plea on October 19 after a local court dismissed his bail petitions thrice.

(With ANI inputs)