Senthil Balaji Case: SC Rejects TN Minister And Wife's Appeal Challenging Arrest In Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court dismissed the plea of Balaji and his wife challenging the Madras High Court's judgment order, which held legal his arrest by the ED in the money laundering case.

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the plea of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji and his wife challenging the Madras High Court's judgment order, which held legal his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case, as reported by news agency ANI. A bench of Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh while dismissing the plea of Balaji allowed his custodial interrogation by the ED in cash for a job scam.

Last week, the bench reserved its order on a plea filed by Balaji and his wife challenging the Madras High Court's judgment. The High Court order came on the habeas corpus petition filed by Megala, wife of Senthil Balaji, as reported by ANI. The High Court found the habeas corpus plea not maintainable in law, the news agency reported. It further clarified that time spent by Balaji under medical treatment in a private hospital would be excluded from the period of custody allowed to the ED.

The investigation agency had arrested Senthil Balaji last month in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam that occurred in the state's transport department, and he continues to be a Minister without portfolio. The ED had earlier approached the top court contending that the Madras High Court erred in entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife and allowing him to be moved to a private hospital in Chennai from the government hospital following his arrest by the ED.

Following a split verdict by the division bench of the Madras High Court on the habeas corpus plea filed by wife Balaji for his release in a case registered by ED, the apex court asked the Chief Justice of the High Court to place the matter before the three-judge bench at the earliest.

Earlier in June, the Minister for Electricity as well as Prohibition and Excise, Balaji, was arrested and admitted to a government hospital in Chennai after he complained of chest pain. He was allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice. 

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