Senthil Balaji Case: SC Directs Madras HC To Place MLA's Plea Against Arrest Before 3-Judge Bench

At Supreme Court, a bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta told Madras HC chief justice that expeditiously Balaji’s petition should be decided by the new bench.

The direction of the Apex Court comes after Madras High Court pronounced a split verdict in the petition on Tuesday. 

Source : PTI

The Supreme Court told the Madras High Court to place the habeas corpus petition of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil's wife before three judges at the earliest. The direction of the Apex Court comes after Madras High Court pronounced a split verdict in the petition on Tuesday.  At Supreme Court, a bench of justices Surya Kant and Dipankar Datta told Madras HC chief justice that expeditiously Balaji’s petition should be decided by the new bench.

On Tuesday, Madras HC division bench of justices J Nisha Banu and D Bharatha Chakravarthy gave a split verdict. In the petition, Balaji's wife claimed the arrest by the Enforcement Directorate as "illegal detention". 

The high court bench directed the registry to place the matter before the chief justice for assigning it to a three-judge bench.

According to PTI, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate, told the top court bench that since a split verdict has been pronounced by the high court, the matter be transferred to the apex court for final adjudication.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Balaji, said that after a split verdict by a division bench, the matter is placed before a three-judge bench and opposed Mehta's request, said the report.

On July 14, ED arrested Senthil Balaji in connection with a cash-for jobs-scam when he was the Transport Minister in the earlier AIADMK regime. During questioning, he complained of chest pain and was hospitalised. Later, he underwent a bypass surgery in a private hospital.

The arrest of Senthil Balaji has also intensified the tussle between Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi. Senthil Balaji was removed from the cabinet by Governor Ravi, notwithstanding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Stalin's demanded for his continuance as a minister without portfolio. Later, Ravi put the order on hold.