The Madras High Court today instructed the special court to proceed with the trial on a daily basis, with the goal of concluding it within three months.
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Tamil Nadu: Today (28 Feb), the Madras High Court rendered a decision to dismiss the bail plea submitted by former DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, who had been apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) the previous year on allegations of money laundering.
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Justice N Anand Venkatesh, while acknowledging the substantial duration of Senthil Balaji’s incarceration, which spanned nearly eight months, opted not to grant bail. Instead, he directed the focus toward expediting the legal process. The court instructed the special court to proceed with the trial on a “day-to-day basis,” setting a target of completing the proceedings within a concise timeframe of three months. This directive underscores the judiciary’s commitment to ensuring a swift and fair legal process for all parties involved.
In explaining the dismissal of the bail application, Justice Venkatesh emphasized its lack of merit, suggesting that it would be more appropriate for the former minister to address his case directly before the special court for trial.
During the proceedings, Senior Advocate C Aryama Sundaram, representing Senthil Balaji, argued that the ED had already concluded its investigation, possessing all necessary documents and evidence, thus rendering Balaji’s further custody unnecessary. However, Special Public Prosecutor N Ramesh opposed the bail application.
Senthil Balaji was arrested on June 14 following interrogation by the ED regarding alleged money laundering activities during his tenure as transport minister for the AIADMK government from 2011 to 2015.
This isn’t the first time Balaji’s bail attempts have been denied; his bail applications were previously rejected by a sessions court in Chennai on three separate occasions. Additionally, his plea for medical bail was turned down by the High Court in October of the preceding year.
PREVIOUS REPORTS ON THE CASE
MadrasHC Reserves Orders on Bail Plea of Senthil Balaji
MadrasHC Questions Why V Senthil Balaji Still Holds Minister Position
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