In a dramatic turn of events, the Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise at the swift appointment of Senthil Balaji as a cabinet minister in Tamil Nadu following his release on bail in the money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam.
A bench of Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih, during a hearing, remarked, “We grant bail, and the next day you go and become Minister. Anybody will be bound to be under the impression that now with your position as a senior cabinet minister, witnesses will be under pressure. What is this going on?”
The court was addressing a plea seeking to recall its September 26 judgment granting bail to Balaji. The plea argued that witnesses in the case would feel intimidated now that Balaji holds a ministerial position.
The bench clarified that while it would not recall the earlier judgment, it would examine the specific issue of whether witnesses were under pressure due to Balaji’s reappointment as minister. “The apprehension is that considering the seriousness of allegations against the 2nd respondent (Balaji), the witnesses may not be in the frame of mind to depose against the 2nd respondent who is holding the position of cabinet minister,” stated the court.
Balaji’s counsel was directed to provide instructions, and the matter was adjourned to December 13.
The apex court had granted Balaji bail on September 26, despite observing a prima facie case against him, citing his prolonged detention since June 2023 and the unlikely commencement of trial soon. Just three days later, on September 29, Balaji took oath as a cabinet minister in the Tamil Nadu government.
The charges against Balaji stem from his tenure as Transport Minister during the AIADMK regime from 2011 to 2015. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14, 2023, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for alleged involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam. The ED’s investigation was based on three FIRs filed in 2018, which accused him of accepting bribes for jobs during his time as Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa’s Cabinet in 2015.
Balaji joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in December 2018 and became the Electricity Minister after the party came to power in May 2021. His reappointment as a cabinet minister amid serious allegations has now raised questions about the possible influence on witnesses and the judicial process.
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This development underscores the complexities of political dynamics intertwined with serious criminal allegations, casting a shadow over governance and justice.
