SC Reprimands Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji Over Bail And Cabinet Appointment

During a hearing on a petition seeking the cancellation of Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji’s bail, the Supreme Court expressed surprise and concern over his appointment as a cabinet minister shortly after being granted bail in a money laundering case linked to the Cash for Job scam.

Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih questioned the timing of Balaji’s ministerial appointment, saying, “We grant bail, and the next day, you go and become a minister.” The court raised concerns that his position as a senior cabinet minister could potentially put witnesses under pressure in the ongoing case. The justices pointed out that this could give the impression of influencing the investigation, which could undermine the fairness of the proceedings.

Also Read: Delhi High Court Issues Notice To ED In Manish Sisodia’s Petition On Excise Policy Case

The court clarified that while it would not retract its bail order, it would examine whether Balaji’s new position as a minister could result in witness intimidation. The petition, filed in the Supreme Court, argued that Balaji’s appointment immediately after his release on bail could create an environment where witnesses might feel coerced due to his influential political role.

Senthil Balaji had been granted bail on September 26 after spending several months in jail since June 2023. The Supreme Court had ruled that the trial was unlikely to begin soon, making it an appropriate time to grant bail. However, just three days after his release, on September 29, Balaji was sworn in as a cabinet minister in Tamil Nadu’s MK Stalin government.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear the case again on December 13 to assess the situation further.