Madras Principal Sessions Court Upholds Arrest of Minister Senthil Balaji by Enforcement Department
In a significant development, the Madras Principal Sessions Court has ruled in favor of the Enforcement Department’s arrest of Minister Senthil Balaji. This decision was made by the third judge, CV Karthikeyan, who stated that Senthil Balaji is subject to the law and must cooperate with the investigation.
The judge, who heard Senthil Balaji’s recruitment petition, emphasized that the enforcement department has the authority to take individuals into custody and conduct a thorough investigation. He further mentioned that arrested persons should not hinder the investigation process and must respect the law.
“I am in agreement with the judgment in Bharataschakravarthy that the Enforcement Directorate has jurisdiction to investigate,” stated Judge Karthikeyan. The session court delivered this order after carefully considering the arguments presented by all parties involved.
The court also clarified that the period in which Senthil Balaji is receiving medical treatment cannot be considered as days of detention by the Enforcement Directorate. Therefore, his arrest and subsequent judicial custody are deemed legal. Moreover, the judge commented that Senthil Balaji’s wife, Megala, continuing her recruitment activities is not conducive to the ongoing investigation.
The decision of the third judge, CV Karthikeyan, reinforces the initial judgment made by Judge Bharatasakkaravarthy. The final verdict will be delivered by a bench comprising Justices Nisha Banu and Bharatha Chakraborty, based on the opinion of the third judge. It is important to note that the role of the third judge is solely to determine what is right and not to pass a judgment.
The Madras Principal Sessions Court had previously extended the judicial custody of Minister Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Department, until July 26. As the legal proceedings continue, it remains to be seen how this case unfolds and what implications it may have for the political landscape.