'Checked On Google. Can Be Cured': SC Denies Bail To Senthil Balaji On Medical Grounds

The Supreme Court said Balaji’s condition doesn’t seem to be very serious to get bail and said he can apply for regular bail before the trial court.

Senthil Balaji’s counsel then withdrew his bail plea from the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court declined to grant bail to Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, on health grounds.

The Supreme Court said Balaji’s condition doesn’t seem to be very serious to get bail and said he can apply for regular bail before the trial court. Balaji’s counsel then withdraws his bail plea from the Supreme Court.

An apex court bench of justices Bela M Trivedi and SC Sharma, after perusing the health reports, gave the judgment on Tuesday. Justice Trivedi, however, said, "I checked on Google. It says that it can be cured by medication. It does not appear to be serious or life-threatening, otherwise, we would have seriously considered it."

Supreme Court declines to grant bail to Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, on health grounds.

Supreme Court says Balaji’s condition doesn’t seem to be very serious to get bail and… pic.twitter.com/GXKfPRSxjN

— ANI (@ANI) November 28, 2023

 

Last week, Minister Senthil Balaji was admitted to Omandurar multi-speciality hospital after he complained of discomfort. 

The Minister was first shifted from Puzhal to Government Stanley Medical College and Hospital. Later, he was shifted to Omandurar Hospital where he underwent echocardiography and electrocardiography (ECG) tests.

Senthil Balaji, who serves as a Minister without portfolio, was arrested by Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money-laundering case in June. 

Balaji faced arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in relation to the cash-for-jobs scam that came to light in 2015 within the Tamil Nadu transport department. This occurred during his tenure as a minister in the former AIADMK government led by the late J Jayalalithaa.

Following his arrest by ED in June, Balaji was hospitalized and underwent bypass surgery at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. Notably, he had a documented history of cardiac issues. Subsequently, in July, he was transferred to Puzhal prison.

Last month, Madras HC rejected the bail petition of Balaji on medical grounds.