Today, On 2nd December, The Supreme Court has raised concerns over the timing of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s bail, granted just a day before he assumed a Ministerial position. The court is set to investigate allegations of witness tampering, questioning whether his new role could lead to intimidation of those involved in the ongoing cash-for-jobs scam investigation.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court expressed astonishment at Senthil Balaji’s appointment as a Minister in Tamil Nadu shortly after he was granted bail in a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scandal.
A bench consisting of Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih was reviewing a petition that requested the recall of the judgment granting bail to Balaji.
The petition argued that witnesses might feel pressured due to Balaji’s ministerial appointment following his release.
Read Also: Former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s Remand Prolonged
Justice Abhay Oka of the Supreme Court, while hearing a plea to recall the bail granted to Senthil Balaji, remarked,
“Granting bail, only for you to assume a Ministerial position the very next day, raises concerns about possible witness intimidation due to your status as a senior Cabinet Minister. What is going on here?”
Justice AS Oka clarified that the court would not address the merits of the case, emphasizing that the order issued has allowed individuals to benefit. The court’s focus narrowed to the issue of witness intimidation due to the respondent’s influential position.
The court reaffirmed the principles established in the earlier decision but expressed concerns regarding the appointment of Respondent No. 2 as a Cabinet Minister in the state shortly after being granted bail on September 26, 2024.
It highlighted that, given the serious nature of the allegations against the second respondent, who now holds a significant government position, witnesses might be reluctant to testify.
The court’s review is focused solely on this preliminary concern.
Senthil Balaji is a prominent political figure in Tamil Nadu, affiliated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party. He has held various positions within the state government and has been involved in several controversies over the years.
The case against Balaji centers around a cash-for-jobs scam, which allegedly involved the illegal collection of money in exchange for government employment. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has investigated these claims, focusing on the financial transactions and the role of various officials in facilitating the scam.
Read Also: Former TN Minister Senthil Balaji, Remand Extended Until June 4
Balaji was accused of money laundering related to this scam. The allegations suggest that he was involved in orchestrating a scheme where individuals were promised jobs in exchange for hefty sums of money, leading to significant financial irregularities.
On December 2, 2023, Balaji granted bail, which was met with surprise by the Supreme Court, especially given his subsequent appointment as a Minister shortly after his release. The Supreme Court currently reviewing the implications of this appointment, particularly concerning witness intimidation and the integrity of the judicial process.
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