Madras HC Dismisses Bail Plea Of TN Minister Senthil Balaji In Money Laundering Case

The bail petition of Minister Senthil Balaji was heard by Justice G Jayachandran.

The court on Monday reserved orders on the petition filed by DMK seeking a bail. ( Image Source :PTI )

Madras High Court dismisses the bail plea of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. The court on Monday reserved orders on the petition filed by DMK seeking a bail. The bail petition was heard by Justice G Jayachandran.

According to ANI, Madras High Court dismissed the bail plea of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. 

Madras High Court dismisses the bail plea of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case. pic.twitter.com/GdNyHa6jOq

— ANI (@ANI) October 19, 2023

 

The minister applied for bail solely on health grounds.

However, Justice G Jayachandran refused to grant bail to the minister even on medical grounds after accepting the contention by the ED that he was an influential person and that there was every possibility of him tampering with evidence and influencing witnessing if he was allowed bail, reported IANS.

The bench also took Special Public Prosecutor N. Ramesh and Additional Solicitor General A.R.L. Sundaresan's plea into consideration by the judge.

They emphasised that Senthil Balaji's continuance as a minister in the state government following his four-month imprisonment itself was clear evidence that he was highly influential.

Justice Jayachandran also agreed with the ED that Senthil Balaji’s brother V. Ashok Kumar, who is absconding following his involvement in an attack on Income Tax officials during a raid at the Minister’s residence in Karur, were also clear indicators that he may cause harm to the prosecution, as per the report.

On June 14, Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. After he underwent surgery at a private hospital in Chennai with the court's approval, he was shifted to Puzhal Central Prison.