The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in the money laundering case related to the alleged 2014 ‘cash-for-jobs’ scam.
The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih imposed stringent conditions while granting relief in the case. The bench had reserved its verdict on August 12 after hearing arguments from Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, who appeared for Senthil Balaji.
While dismissing Senthil Balaji’s bail plea, the high court had said if he was let out on bail in a case of this nature, it would send out a wrong signal and be against larger public interest.
The High Court noted that the petitioner had been in custody for over eight months and directed the special court to expedite the case and conclude proceedings within a specified timeframe.
“Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the Principal Special Court, Chennai, to dispose of the case within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order,” it had ordered.
The high court ordered that the trial shall be conducted on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the guidelines issued by the top court.
Senthil Balaji, a former Tamil Nadu Minister and current MLA, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2023 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). The arrest was made in connection with a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the state’s Transport Minister between 2011 and 2016
Allegations against Balaji:
- He was accused of orchestrating a scheme with his personal assistants and brother to collect money from job seekers in exchange for promises of employment in the Tamil Nadu Transport Department.
- Numerous complaints were filed by candidates who paid substantial amounts but did not secure the promised jobs.
- Between 2014 and 2015, Balaji, by abusing his official capacity, along with others, entered into a criminal conspiracy with the then managing directors of all State Transport Undertakings (STU) and other officers of transport corporations to obtain illegal gratification from candidates to recruit them as drivers, conductors, Junior Tradesmen (JTM), Junior Assistants, Junior Engineer (JE) and Assistant Engineer (AE) in the transport corporation
ED’s Investigation and Arrest:
- Based on these allegations, the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and proceeded with Balaji’s arrest in June 2023.
- The ED filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against him on August 12 last year.
- Income Tax authorities also raided over 40 places which they claimed were linked to Senthil Balaji from May 26 to June 2
