Money Laundering Case
SC raises concern as DMK's Balaji reinstated as minister after getting bail
This story was originally published at 22:31 IST on 2 December 2024
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NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern about Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Senthil Balaji being reinstated as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government after getting bail in a money laundering case arising out of allegations of cash for jobs. Refusing to recall its entire order to grant bail to Balaji, the top court said it would examine whether the DMK leader's role as a minister would put the witness under pressure when deposing against him.
"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?" said Justice Abhay. S. Oka. The apprehension by witness K. Vidhya Kumar is that considering the seriousness of the allegations against Balaji in the predicate offences, the witnesses may not be in the frame of mind to depose against the second respondent who is now holding the position of a Cabinet minister, said the top court.
The counsel appearing for Balaji sought some time to take instructions from his client. The apex court will now hear the case on Dec. 13.
In June 2023, the Enforcement Directorate had arrested Balaji on allegations of his involvement in a cash for jobs scam during his tenure as Tamil Nadu's transport minister between 2011 and 2016. Balaji was then a leader of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.
On Sept. 26, the apex court had granted bail to Balaji and had observed that a stringent and higher threshold of bail and delay in prosecution cannot go together. On Sept. 29, Balaji was made a minister in the state government once again. End
Reported by Surya Tripathi
Edited by Ashish Shirke
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