Today, On 11th July, In the cash-for-jobs scam case involving V Senthil Balaji, the Supreme Court said, “We will not expunge anything… no question of entertaining any review.” The Court clarified the observations won’t affect the ongoing trial.
The Supreme Court of India heard a plea related to former Minister V Senthil Balaji in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam cases.
The bench hearing the matter consists of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi.
The Court clearly stated,
“We will not expunge anything, we will not touch a single word. We are not touching the judgment. We will only clarify that the observations shall have no bearing on the trial. That’s a basic principle of criminal jurisprudence…Basic principles are always to be followed, there’s no question of entertaining any review.”
Recognizing this clarification as a fundamental principle of criminal law, the bench issued an order affirming that the observations made in the earlier judgments will not affect the ongoing trial in the lower court.
Though multiple requests were made in the miscellaneous applications, Mr. Sibal, representing Balaji, limited his prayer to seeking clarification that the observations in the judgments would not impact the pending trials. He also referred to a similar safeguard issued by the Court in another case.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Senthil Balaji, requested that the court clarify that the observations made in the case of Senthil Balaji vs. Y Balaji should not affect the ongoing trial. Justice Kant noted that the applications were filed after a delay of two years.
However, the Court recorded that since Sibal limited his request to just this clarification, the miscellaneous applications were disposed of with the direction that “those observations will have no bearing on the ongoing trials.”
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayanan explained the background, saying,
“This is the Y Balaji case from the cash for jobs scam.”
He added that the appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor is still pending.
He said,
“There are 2,202 accused in total the main ones being the former Transport Minister his brother and their close associates,”
This case highlights the large scale of the cash-for-jobs scam investigation, involving many accused individuals including prominent political figures. The Supreme Court’s decision to hear the plea and clarify that previous observations will not impact the ongoing trial is important for ensuring a fair legal process.
The appointment of a Special Public Prosecutor is also a key step in moving the case forward.
In 2018, a complaint filed against Balaji and others for accepting bribes from job seekers by falsely promising them appointments in the Metro Transport Corporation (MTC).
The former state minister and others were charged under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code. After the FIR was lodged in 2018, a charge sheet was submitted.
However, in 2021, the Madras High Court dismissed the cheating case after being informed that the complainant and thirteen alleged victims, who were witnesses, had settled with the accused. Two other related FIRs were also stayed following this.
Also Read: V Senthil Balaji| Former Tamil Nadu Minister’s Remand Extended
When Balaji received summons from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the recruitment scam, he approached the High Court, which quashed the summons in 2022.
However, the same year, the Supreme Court in the P. Dharamaraj case restored the criminal complaints against Balaji, observing that there was evidence of corrupt practices during his tenure as Minister between 2011 and 2015.
The Supreme Court set aside the High Court’s earlier order and emphasized that serious charges like corruption could not be dismissed merely because the accused offered to refund money.
Two months later, the Madras High Court ordered a fresh investigation into the cash-for-job scam, noting irregularities in the earlier probe. But in May 2023, the Supreme Court allowed the ED to continue its investigation and quashed the High Court’s order for a fresh inquiry. In June 2023, Balaji was arrested in a money laundering case but was granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024.
Also Read: Senthil Balaji’s Bail Plea| Supreme Court’s Decision Expected Today
Soon after his release, Balaji returned as a Minister, which the Supreme Court disapproved of. The ED and a private individual filed applications seeking cancellation of his bail, alleging he was influencing witnesses.
The Court warned Balaji that he must choose between retaining his Ministerial post and his freedom. Following this, he resigned from the State Council of Ministers.
Recently, Balaji filed three miscellaneous applications requesting the removal of certain remarks made in the P. Dharamaraj case judgment, expressing concern that these observations might prejudice the trial court and affect his right to a fair trial.
Case Title: V. Senthil Balaji vs. Y. Balaji & Ors. (MA 1189-1191/2025 in Crl.A. Nos. 1671-1673/2023)
V. Senthil Balaji vs. P. Dharamaraj & Ors. (MA 1195/2025 in Crl.A. No. 1514/2022)
V. Senthil Balaji vs. K. Vidhya Kumar & Ors. (MA 1185/2025 in MA 2454/2024 in Crl.A. No. 4011/2024)