The Supreme Court of India has granted bail to former Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister V Senthil Balaji, who has been incarcerated since June 2023 due to his alleged involvement in a cash-for-jobs scandal. The decision comes after previous bail pleas were rejected multiple times by the Madras High Court and trial court.
In November 2022, the Supreme Court declined to hear Balaji’s request for bail, citing concerns about his health. At that time, the court determined that his medical condition could be managed with appropriate treatment. Balaji faces money-laundering allegations related to his tenure as Transport Minister from 2011 to 2016 under the leadership of then Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in the AIADMK government. He later joined the rival DMK party in December 2018, aligning himself with current Chief Minister MK Stalin.
Balaji’s legal team, led by attorney NR Elango, noted that the prolonged nature of the proceedings may delay the trials concerning both the original allegations and the charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court has stipulated several conditions for Balaji’s bail, which include his mandatory appearance before arresting officials twice weekly, a prohibition on tampering with evidence or witnesses, and the surrender of his passport.
Following the announcement of the bail, Balaji’s supporters and DMK party members celebrated with firecrackers and jubilant slogans. However, it remains uncertain whether he will be reinstated in the Tamil Nadu cabinet. Balaji had previously been kept in his position as a show of support, which led to tensions with Governor RN Ravi. He resigned from his ministerial post in February after a High Court ruling indicated that political motives should not compromise public integrity.
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Balaji’s arrest occurred amid dramatic circumstances, including complaints of chest pain during his questioning by the Enforcement Directorate. After being hospitalized, he was advised to undergo coronary artery bypass surgery urgently. The images of his distress during transport to the hospital garnered significant media attention and support from fellow DMK leaders, who condemned the actions of federal agencies against opposition figures. Tamil Nadu Sports Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party’s tactics, asserting that they would not be intimidated.
The enforcement actions against Balaji followed the recent Karnataka Assembly elections, where the BJP lost its grip on the state. The DMK claims that these allegations against Balaji were an attempt by the BJP to divert attention from their electoral defeat. The Enforcement Directorate conducted extensive raids at Balaji’s residence, his Tamil Nadu Secretariat office, and locations associated with his relatives and aides, following searches carried out by the Income Tax Department on properties linked to his associates across the state.
