New Delhi:

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea seeking review of an order granting bail to Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case related to a cash-for-jobs scam.

A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih also dismissed a prayer for conducting open hearing on the review petition.

“Application seeking oral hearing of the review petition is rejected. The review petition seeks review of judgment and order dated September 26, 2024. Having gone through the review petition and the connected papers, we do not find any ground to review the order sought to be reviewed. There is no error apparent on the face of the record,” the bench said in its order passed on December 17, and uploaded on the top court website on Saturday.

The bench noted that an application for recall of the same order is pending and is being heard by the court.

The review petition was filed by one of the complainants in the case.

On Friday, while hearing a petition for the recall of the September 26 order, the bench observed it was “terribly wrong” to appoint Balaji as a minister in the Tamil Nadu government days after he was granted bail in the case.

It had said a large number of witnesses were public officials and sought response of the state government on the pending cases against Mr Balaji.

“It can’t be axiomatic that the moment a person is released he becomes a minister, there is something terribly wrong. Because there maybe cases and cases where somebody is being framed. In the facts of the case we will have to consider,” the bench had remarked.

On September 26, the top court granted bail to DMK strongman Balaji, in the money laundering case after over 15 months, noting there was no possibility of the completion of trial in the near future.

Senthil Balaji, 48, was sworn-in as a minister by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on September 29 and was assigned the same key portfolios — electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition and excise — that he held previously in the Chief Minister M K Stalin cabinet.

The ED had arrested Mr Balaji, representing Karur assembly constituency, on June 14, 2023, in the case, when he was the transport minister during the previous AIADMK regime between 2011 and 2015.

On February 13, the TN Governor accepted Mr Balaji’s resignation from the council of ministers. The top court reprieve on September 26, ended his 471-day incarceration.

On September 2, the top court refused to appoint a special public prosecutor for the trial of the case involving Balaji.

The top court had further underscored the prosecutors dealing with cases of MPs and MLAs were aware of the nature of their responsibilities as these cases were being monitored by the top court.

The Enforcement Directorate had filed a case of money laundering in July 2021 to probe the allegations after three FIRs were registered by the Tamil Nadu police in 2018 and on the basis of complaints by those aggrieved of the alleged scam.

The agency’s chargesheet claimed the entire recruitment process in the Tamil Nadu transport department during the tenure of Balaji as minister was turned into a “corrupt chiefdom”, and the scam was executed under his authority.

Being a public servant, Mr Balaji “misused” his official capacity as the then transport minister and obtained pecuniary benefits by corrupt and illegal means and directly acquired the proceeds of crime that were generated out of a criminal activity related to a scheduled offence, the agency alleged.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Chennai:

The reinstatement last week of money-laundering accused DMK leader V Senthil Balaji as Tamil Nadu’s Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition Minister has prompted a rival politician to lob the ‘washing machine’ jibe at the ruling party. Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S Ramadoss declared the process of “whitening” Mr Balaji already begun, and also hit out at Chief Minister MK Stalin for hailing Mr Balaji’s “sacrifice”.

“If Senthil Balaji made a ‘sacrifice’… are those who lost money traitors? Chief Minister Stalin should be an ‘impartial judge’ for seven crore people… not (act) as (the) lawyer for an accused,” he said, sneering “I doubt there will be a fair trial” and demanding the case be transferred out of Tamil Nadu.

Mr Ramadoss – whose PMK is part of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance – also slammed Mr Stalin, accusing him of “spoiling youngsters’ future” by shielding Mr Balaji.

The DMK has dismissed S Ramadoss’ comments, which come after Chief Minister Stalin welcomed Mr Balaji’s release from prison by tweeting, “… your sacrifice is big and strength even bigger…”

ஆருயிர் சகோதரர் @V_Senthilbalaji அவர்களுக்கு 471 நாட்களுக்குப் பிறகு, உச்ச நீதிமன்றத்தால் பிணை கிடைத்திருக்கிறது.

அமலாக்கத் துறையானது, அரசியல் எதிரிகளை ஒடுக்கும் துறையாக மாற்றப்பட்ட தற்போதைய சூழலில், அதற்கு உச்சநீதிமன்றம் ஒன்றே விடியலாக இருக்கிறது.

எமர்ஜென்சி காலத்தில் கூட…

— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 26, 2024

The DMK has said it is not shielding Mr Balaji and that he will defend himself in court when needed.

Mr Stalin earlier had taken a swipe of his own at the BJP, re-floating opposition parties’ repeated claim that the party in power at the centre uses federal agencies, like the ED, to target rival leaders, stating, “The Supreme Court is the only hope while ED has become a ‘ministry’ to oppress political opponents.”

READ | “BJP Like Washing Machine For Corruption Accused…”: Sharad Pawar

The ‘washing machine’ remark is usually used to target the BJP for inducting rival leaders who may face corruption charges while with opposition parties, but find these waived when they join the BJP.

In this case, the Enforcement Directorate has accused Mr Balaji of money laundering in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam dating back to 2011-2016; he was then the Transport Minister in the state government led by late AIADMK matriarch and ex Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

Specifically, he is accused of receiving – from Rs 1.75 lakh to Rs 12 lakh – in bribes for jobs in the state Transport Department. He was arrested for alleged money laundering amid high drama in June last year, which included being advised cardiac surgery shortly after being taken into custody.

READ | Ex Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji Gets Bail In Cash-For-Jobs Case

Last week he was granted bail by the Supreme Court after it flagged his lengthy imprisonment.

Mr Balaji joined the DMK in 2018, in the presence of Mr Stalin.

READ | Udhayanidhi Stalin Is MK Stalin’s Deputy, Senthil Balaji Back In Cabinet

And on Sunday Mr Balaji was back in the Tamil Nadu government, reclaiming the three portfolios he had surrendered in February amid pressure from the Madras High Court in the form of strong observations – that his continuation as a minister, while in jail, is untenable. The reinstatement, many said, was a message to the BJP – that the DMK continues to support its senior leader.

The DMK has pointed out action against Mr Balaji came after the Karnataka election that saw the BJP lose the only southern state in its control. The Congress, an ally of the DMK, won the election.

The DMK said the BJP targeted its leader to offset the panic caused by the loss.

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Chennai:

Proving twin speculations true in one go, the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government has elevated Sports Minister and Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, to the post of deputy chief minister and re-inducted former transport minister Senthil Balaji, two days after he got bail in a money laundering case.

Udhayanidhi Stalin, whose elevation has been spoken about for weeks, has been given charge of the Planning and Development ministry in addition to his existing Youth Welfare and Sports Development portfolio and has been designated the deputy chief minister of the state. 

It is not yet clear what portfolio will be given to Mr Balaji, who had been behind bars for 15 months after being accused of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate for his involvement in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam that occurred during the AIADMK regime under late chief minister J Jayalalithaa. He was released on bail on Thursday by the Supreme Court, which said “stringent and higher threshold of bail and delay in prosecution cannot go together”.

As part of the cabinet reshuffle announced on Saturday, T Mano Thangaraj, Minister for Milk and Dairy Development, Gingee Masthan, Minister for Minorities Welfare and Non-Resident Tamils Welfare and K  Ramachandran, Minister for Tourism, have been dropped and three new faces, Govi Chezhiaan, R Rajendran and SM Nasar, will be inducted.

A Raj Bhavan release said Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has approved the chief minister’s recommendations and the swearing-in ceremony will take place at 3.30 pm on Sunday.

Chennai:

Former Tamil Nadu transport minister Senthil Balaji left Chennai’s Puzhal Central Prison on Thursday evening, hours after the Supreme Court granted him bail, sparking speculation over whether he would be reinducted into the state cabinet. 

Mr Balaji had been behind bars for 15 months, accused of money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate for his alleged involvement in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam that occurred during the AIADMK regime under late chief minister J Jayalalithaa.

Although Mr Balaji still has a long legal battle ahead, the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu is celebrating his release as as a moral and legal victory. Hundreds of DMK cadre welcomed the former minister outside the jail with drumbeats, rose petals, crackers, and party flags, sending a message that the party stands with him. The DMK has alleged several times that the ED and other central agencies have been targeting leaders in states ruled by the Opposition, a charge that has been denied by the BJP.

Mr Balaji was arrested in June 2023 and resigned as a minister in February this year after the Madras High Court advised Chief Minister MK Stalin to rethink his decision of retaining him in the cabinet. The high court had also denied him bail multiple times but the Supreme Court’s granted it, saying “stringent and higher threshold of bail and delay in prosecution cannot go together”.

After his former Cabinet colleague got bail, Mr Stalin said, “Even during the Emergency, the duration of imprisonment was not this long… You have made a huge sacrifice and have emerged even stronger, though they tried to weaken you. I welcome you.”

Mr Stalin is set to meet Prime Minister Modi in Delhi on Friday and there has been a buzz that the chief minister may include Mr Balaji in the cabinet again. Responding to a question on this, DMK Spokesperson A Saravanan said, “There is nothing to disqualify him. It is the chief minister’s prerogative”.

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted bail to former Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji, who has been in jail since June 2023 in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scam.

The top court, in November last year, refused to hear a bail plea citing his health, noting it was not satisfied with his arguments and that his condition could be cured with medicines.

Mr Balaji faces money-laundering charges dating back to 2011-2016 – when he was the Transport Minister in then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK government. He joined fierce rivals DMK, the current ruling party, in December 2018, in the presence of party boss MK Stalin.

Mr Balaji – whose bail pleas were twice dismissed by the Madras High Court, including in February, and thrice by the trial court – has denied all charges. Speaking after the top court granted relief, his lawyer, NR Elango, said, “The long delay… could be there in conducting trials in predicate offence as well as PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) case.”

“Bail has been granted on certain conditions – he should appear before (arresting officials) twice a week, should not tamper with evidence or witnesses, and should surrender his passport…”

Mr Balaji’s release was celebrated by his supporters and DMK party workers, who burst firecrackers and waved party flags, and shouted slogans in his name.

It is unclear if he will now be reinstated to the Tamil Nadu cabinet. Mr Balaji had been retained as a gesture of support but that led to a fierce dispute with Governor RN Ravi. He resigned in February after the High Court said political compulsions could not outweigh public morality.

He was arrested after hours of questioning and amid high drama; he complained of chest pain hours after the Enforcement Directorate took him into custody and underwent an angiogram at a Chennai hospital, after which doctors advised coronary artery bypass surgery “at the earliest”.

Mr Balaji broken down and cried on the way to the hospital. Visuals of him weeping in the ambulance, and later at the hospital, were widely circulated, and several of his DMK colleagues spoke out in support, slamming the federal agency for targeting opposition leaders. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, Chief Minister MK Stalin’s son and widely expected to be named his deputy, declared “we will not be cowed by the Bharatiya Janata Party’s intimidation”.

Action against Mr Balaji came shortly after the Karnataka Assembly election that saw the BJP lose control of the only southern state in its control. The Congress, an ally of the DMK, won the election. The DMK said the BJP targeted its leader to offset the panic caused by the loss.

The ED had raided Mr Balaji’s residence, his office at the Tamil Nadu Secretariat, and the premises of his brother and a close aide in Karur district. This was after the Income Tax Department searched multiple properties – across the state – owned by his associates.

Chennai:

A special court in Chennai framed charges against former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act on Thursday in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs scam. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the alleged scam took place between 2011 and 2015, when Mr Balaji was the Tamil Nadu transport minister under the AIADMK government led by the late J Jayalalithaa.

During the proceedings on Thursday, Senthil Balaji pleaded not guilty, alleged political vendetta and said he wanted to cross-examine witnesses. The court, however, adjourned the case to August 16 for the cross-examination. 

Mr Balaji was arrested by the ED in connection with the alleged scam in June 2023 when he was the electricity minister under Chief Minister MK Stalin of the DMK. He was taken into custody after being questioned for hours and was hospitalised after complaining of chest pain.

The minister was retained by the Tamil Nadu government as a show of support but resigned in February this year after the Madras High Court said political compulsion could not outweigh public morality. 

The DMK has accused the BJP of misusing central agencies, including the ED, to target political opponents. The BJP has denied the allegations and claimed that the ED is following the rule book.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court observed that the ED needs to focus on the quality of prosecution and evidence, citing low conviction rates in cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The observation came after Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai told the Lok Sabha that more than 5,200 money laundering cases had been registered by the ED since 2014 and convictions were obtained in 40.

Chennai:

Former Minister V Senthil Balaji who is lodged in a prison here in an Enforcement Directorate case was taken to hospital on Sunday by jail authorities after he complained of chest pain, official sources said.

After, Mr Balaji complained of unease and chest pain and he was taken to Government Stanley Hospital here by the Puzhal Central Prison authorities. After evaluation by doctors, he was later shifted to the state-run Omandurar multi-super-speciality hospital for further examination and observation.

It was not immediately clear as to how long Senthil Balaji will be in the hospital.

Following his arrest, last year Mr Balaji had been hospitalised a couple of times and he underwent a bypass surgery at a private hospital.

A sessions court here had on July 18 scheduled framing of charges on July 22 in the money laundering case against Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14, 2023.

Principal Sessions Judge S Alli had directed the prosecution to produce Senthil Balaji in person before the court on July 22 for framing of charges. His bail pleas had been dismissed by the Madras High Court and the sessions court as well.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)