Supreme Court Dismisses Release Pleas for DMK Minister V Senthil Balaji in Money Laundering Case; ED Granted 5-Day Custody
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has rejected the pleas seeking the release of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) minister V Senthil Balaji, who has been under arrest since last June in connection with a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). A bench comprising Justices AS Bopanna and MM Sundresh, while dismissing the release pleas, has granted the ED custody of Balaji for a period of five days, extending until August 12.
The court's decision comes after hearing the pleas filed by both Balaji and his wife. The ED's connected plea was also taken into consideration during the proceedings. The verdict, which had been reserved on August 2, follows the Madras High Court's previous ruling against releasing the minister. This prompted Balaji and his wife, S Megala, to approach the apex court for relief.
In parallel, the ED had also raised objections to the High Court's involvement in entertaining a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife following his remand. The Supreme Court took this plea into account during the hearing alongside the pleas for Balaji's release.
The case against Balaji revolves around alleged irregularities in the appointment of bus conductors, drivers, and junior engineers within the Tamil Nadu transport department. These appointments transpired during Balaji's tenure as the Transport Minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government from 2011 to 2015, prior to his subsequent affiliation with the DMK in 2018.
Following his initial remand by a sessions court, Balaji was placed under judicial custody. However, rather than being incarcerated, he was later transferred to a private hospital where he underwent bypass surgery.
Concurrently, Balaji's wife pursued a habeas corpus petition in the High Court seeking his release. The division bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on this plea, leading to the appointment of a third judge to resolve the matter. Ultimately, the third judge ruled against Balaji's release.
The Enforcement Directorate's case was represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, while Balaji and his wife were represented by Senior Counsels Kapil Sibal and Mukul Rohatgi, along with advocate Misha Rohatgi.
TAGS: Supreme Court DMK Minister V Senthil Balaji Money Laundering Case Enforcement Directorate Release Pleas Custody High Court Irregularities Appointments Transport Department AIADMK Government DMK Affiliation Habeas Corpus Petition Private Hospital Bypass Surgery Solicitor General Senior Counsels Kapil Sibal Mukul Rohatgi Advocate Verdict.
