Senthil Balaji Sabotaging Trial, Delaying Trial By Frivolous Applications: ED Tells Supreme Court
ED alleged that despite the top court’s earlier direction to expedite the trial, Balaji's actions show a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday claimed that Tamil Nadu minister and DMK leader Senthil Balaji is trying to sabotage the trial going against him in a money laundering case in cash for jobs scam.
The probe agency on Friday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court during the hearing of a plea seeking to recall the top court’s earlier judgment granting bail to Balaji. ED alleged that despite the top court’s earlier direction to expedite the trial, Balaji’s actions show a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings.
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The affidavit further noted that PW4, a crucial scientific expert, was repeatedly summoned, cross-examined, and adjourned, resulting in a prolonged trial.
“Despite this Hon’ble Court’s directive to expedite the trial, Sh. V Senthil Balaji has drawn out the cross examination of PW- 4 on one pretext or another for nearly two months. This blatant disregard for the Supreme Court’s instructions is a clear attempt to procrastinate and delay the trial proceedings. In the light of the foregoing, it is amply clear that Sh. V Senthil Balaji has violated the direction given by this Hon’ble Court by seeking adjournments on non-existent or frivolous grounds or creating hurdles in the early disposal of the cases mentioned above", the affidavit read as reported by Live Law.
The recall has been sought on the ground that Balaji’s appointment as a Cabinet Minister in Tamil Nadu shortly after he was granted bail is causing undue pressure on the witnesses against him.
The probe agency has further expressed apprehensions regarding the influence Balaji could exert on witnesses, given his ministerial position. The affidavit highlighted that several key witnesses in the prosecution’s complaint were individuals who had worked under Balaji during his tenure as Transport Minister, raising concerns about their ability to testify impartially.
Supreme Court Raps Balaji
Earlier this month, Supreme Court rapped the DMK leader for taking oath as the Cabinet Minister in the Tamil Nadu government stating that this will put the witnesses under pressure.
“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?" Justice Oka was quoted as saying
In its September 26 order, the top court granted bail to Balaji while also acknowledging that there is a prima facie case against him. The decision was based on his prolonged detention since June 2023 and the low likelihood of the trial starting anytime soon.
On September 29, Balaji took oath as the Minister in the Cabinet led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, with charge over the portfolios of electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition & excise.
Charges Against Balaji
Balaji was accused in a money laundering case linked to allegations of his involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as the state’s Transport Minister between 2011 and 2016. The probe agency in June last year arrested Balaji under the charges of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA). Later, the DMK leader moved to Madras High Court where he faced a setback. He challenged the denial of bail by the Madras HC before the Supreme Court.
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