Supreme Court: The division Bench of Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, JJ. allowed former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s bail plea in the money laundering case on cash-for-jobs allegations. The Court while granting him bail considered delay in commencement of trial.
On 28-02-2024, Madras High Court rejected his bail plea for the alleged offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (‘PMLA’). The High Court opined that he was involved in a cash-for-job scam by misusing his position as a transport minister and thereby, genuine aspirants for the job were deprived of a level playing field and, in their place, persons who paid money were accommodated.
Between 2011 and 2016, Senthil Balaji was holding the position of Transport Minister in the Government of Tamil Nadu. While serving as a Minister, it is alleged that he, in connivance with his personal assistants and along with his brother, orchestrated the collection of money by promising job opportunities in various positions within the Transport Department. This gave rise to several complaints made by candidates, who had paid the money but were not able to secure employment. The investigation ultimately ended with three final reports filed by the Central Crime Branch, Chennai in and in all these cases, Senthil Balaji has been arrayed as an accused and it is pending before MP/MLA Special Court. Thereafter, the Enforcement Directorate entered the scene and after collecting the required information, it registered a case. Senthil Balaji was arrested and remanded to judicial custody on 14-06-2023. The petitioner had earlier filed multiple bail petitions which were rejected.
Source: Press