Senthil Balaji Case: Chennai Sessions Court Extends TN Minister's Judicial Custody For 14 Days

Senthil Balaji was produced before the court through video conferencing from Puzhal Prison.

The bail petition filed by Senthil Balaji came up for hearing before Principal Sessions Judge S Alli on Friday. 

A sessions court in Chennai reserved orders on the bail petition filed by DMK Minister Senthil Balaji, who was arrested in connection with a money laundering case by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for September 20. The Minister, who was arrested in June, is lodged in Puzhal prison. The principal sessions judge S Alli reserved the orders after hearing the arguments of both sides. 

According to ANI, "Chennai Sessions Court Judge extends judicial custody of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji for 14 days. Senthil Balaji was produced before the court through video conferencing, from Puzhal Prison.

Chennai Sessions Court Judge extends judicial custody of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji for 14 days.

Senthil Balaji was produced before the court through video conferencing, from Puzhal Prison.

— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2023

 

The bail petition filed by Senthil Balaji came up for hearing before Principal Sessions Judge S Alli on Friday. The judge heard the elaborate arguments of Senior Counsels Kabil Sibal and N R Elango, appearing for Balaji and Additional Solicitor General A R L Sunderesan, who represented the ED.

On June 14, Balaji was arrested by the central agency in connection with a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam while he served as the Transport Minister during an earlier AIADMK regime.

Earlier, Madras High Court said that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji as a Minister without Portfolio in the MK Stalin-led Tamil Nadu cabinet serves no purpose. The bench said that it is not encouraging for the principles of good governance and administrative integrity. The first bench, composed of Chief Justice S. V. Gangapurwala and Justice P. D. Audikesavalu, made the comment while determining the petitions submitted by two solicitors and former AIADMK MP Dr. J. Jayavardhan.