In a setback to DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the
Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, the Supreme Court refused
to entertain the bail plea he was seeking on health grounds on Tuesday.
The apex court was hearing an appeal against an order of the Madras High
Court which rejected his bail plea on October 19, saying he was likely to
influence witnesses if enlarged on bail.
After perusing the health reports, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices Bela
M Trivedi and SC Sharma said there was nothing serious in his health condition
and granted liberty to Balaji to approach the trial court to seek regular bail.
“Any observation made in the interim order against the petitioner on
merits shall not come in the way of the petitioner in filing regular bail
application,” the Bench said.
The top court had earlier directed Balaji to place on record his medical
reports.
While dismissing the bail plea, the high court had said from the health
report of Balaji it did not appear to be a medical condition that could be
taken care of only if he was released on bail.
The DMK politician (47) was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 14
June and is lodged in Puzhal Central Jail in Chennai.
Despite being arrested by the central probe agency on 14 June concerning
a money laundering investigation involving an alleged cash-for-jobs scheme from
his tenure as the transport minister in the prior AIADMK administration,
Senthil Balaji remains a minister without a specific portfolio in the Tamil Nadu
Government led by Chief Minister MK Stalin.
The federal agency had also summoned Senthil Balaji’s brother RV Ashok
Balaji, his (Ashok’s) wife Nirmala, and mother-in-law P Lakshmi to join the inquiry.
It had recorded various statements from V Senthil Balaji which were made part
of the chargesheet.
NE Watch Desk
