Job-For-Cash Scam: Minister Senthil Balaji's Judicial Custody Extended Till July 26

Chennai principal sessions judge S Alli extended the judicial custody of the Minister.

Chennai Principal Sessions Court extended the judicial custody of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji until July 26 on Thursday. The move taken as the custody of the Minister ended on July 12. The Minister appeared before the court through video-conferencing. 

According to ABP Nadu, Chennai principal sessions judge S Alli extended the judicial custody of the Minister. Senthil Balaji is still receiving treatment at a private hospital in Chennai after undergoing heart surgery. 

The order was passed after an interim order passed by Justice C V Karthikeyan of the Madras High Court permitting the Principal Sessions Judge to proceed further during the pendency of the hearing on the habeas corpus petition filed by the minister's wife.

Senthil Balaji was arrested by Enforcement Directorate on June 14.

On July 4, in the habeas corpus petition filed by Minister Senthil Balaji's wife Megala, Madras High Court gave a split verdict. Justice Nisha Banu and Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy gave the split verdict and referred the case to a larger bench. 

Justice Nisha Banu said that Senthil Balaji's arrest was unconstitutional. On the other hand, Justice Bharatha Chakravarthy said, Senthil Balaji must be jailed after his discharge from the hospital. 

Earlier, in the petition, Minister's wife claimed that his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate was illegal.

On July 14, Senthil Balaji was arrested 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 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 demand for his continuance as a minister without portfolio. Later, Ravi put the order on hold.