Supreme Court questions Senthil Balaji’s reappointment as Minister after bail grant

‘We grant bail, and the next day you become a minister!‘: SC criticizes Senthil Balaji’s reinstatement

The Supreme Court on Monday criticized DMK leader Senthil Balaji for resuming his role as a Cabinet Minister in Tamil Nadu shortly after being granted bail in a money laundering case. The court noted that this could create undue pressure on witnesses, as reported by Live Law.

Arrest and bail background

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case tied to a cash-for-jobs scam. In September, the Supreme Court granted him bail, but his subsequent reinstatement in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet has raised concerns about potential witness intimidation.

Court’s strong remarks

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih expressed disapproval over Balaji’s reinstatement. “We grant bail, and the next day you go and a become Minister! Anybody will be bound to be under the impression that witnesses will now be under pressure,” Justice Oka remarked.

The remarks came during the hearing of a plea seeking the withdrawal of the order granting bail to Balaji, citing concerns over the impartiality of witness testimonies given his powerful position.

Bench maintains bail order

Despite the criticism, the bench clarified that it would not overturn the previous judgment granting bail. The court emphasized its commitment to upholding precedents benefiting others but said it would examine whether Balaji’s ministerial position has led to undue pressure on witnesses.

The bench directed Balaji’s lawyer to gather instructions and adjourned the matter for further hearing on December 13.

September 26 bail order

In its September 26 decision, the Supreme Court granted Balaji bail, recognizing a prima facie case against him while allowing his release. The court acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and expressed concern about the potential influence on witnesses stemming from his reappointment as a senior Cabinet Minister.

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