'Freedom or Office?': Supreme Court Warns Senthil Balaji on Recalling Bail Order in Money Laundering Case

New Delhi, Apr 23 (NationPress) In a stern warning to prominent DMK figure V. Senthil Balaji, the Supreme Court on Wednesday instructed him to make a choice between his position in the M.K. Stalin-led Tamil Nadu Cabinet and bail concerning a money laundering case tied to an alleged cash-for-jobs scam.

A bench comprised of Justices Abhay S. Oka and A.G. Masih cautioned Balaji that failing to resign from his ministerial role would lead to the recall of its bail order, emphasizing that the apex court had previously overlooked judgments against him.

"We are presenting him with a choice. Freedom or Office? There are documented findings in the court's judgment attributing a role to him in the predicate offense as a minister. The Madras High Court judgment illustrates how, as a minister, he attempted to influence witnesses by entering into settlements with them, based on which proceedings were annulled."

The Justice Oka-led Bench was reviewing a request to recall its decision that had granted Balaji bail, citing concerns about his potential to influence case witnesses due to his ministerial position.

The apex court urged Balaji, who was quickly appointed to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet after his bail was granted, to make a decision by Monday regarding whether he valued his liberty or his ministerial role.

"We grant bail, and the following day, you assume the role of a minister! Anyone would reasonably conclude that witnesses may be under duress," remarked the apex court during a prior hearing, clarifying that its bail decision did not require interference on substantive grounds.

Balaji, who was released from incarceration after over 450 days, took his oath as a minister on September 29 last year, overseeing the portfolios of Electricity, Excise, and Prohibition in the Tamil Nadu government. He previously served as the Minister of Transport from 2011-2015 during the AIADMK government, being re-elected as an MLA from the Aruvarakurichi constituency in 2016. Following a split in the AIADMK, he departed from the party and joined the DMK on December 14, 2018, subsequently becoming the DMK district Secretary. He contested by-polls in 2019 from Aruvakurichi and later in the 2021 Assembly elections, where he became the minister for Electricity and Excise in the Stalin-led cabinet.

On June 14, 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at Balaji's residence and other locations in Chennai, Karur, and Coimbatore, interrogating him about a job-for-cash scam during his tenure as Transport Minister in the AIADMK-led administration. After several hours of questioning, Balaji was arrested and placed in judicial custody. He reported experiencing chest pain, and medical examinations revealed three blockages in his coronary artery. He subsequently underwent angioplasty at a private hospital, remained there for a few additional days, and was later returned to Puzhal Central Prison.

Despite opposition calls for Balaji's immediate removal from the ministry, Chief Minister Stalin resisted the pressure. Nonetheless, there was substantial demand for his resignation, which Balaji submitted on February 12, 2024, eight months post-arrest and ahead of his bail plea hearing in the Madras High Court. After the Supreme Court granted him bail, Balaji exited Puzhal Central Prison and was re-inducted into the CM Stalin-led cabinet.