Madras High Court criticizes Senthil Balaji for continuing as a minister despite arrest – Bail plea hearing postponed

2024-01-30 16:56:57

Madras High Court criticizes Senthil Balaji, who continues to be a non-department minister. The court pointed out that even after 230 days of his arrest, Senthil is still a minister. While hearing Senthil’s bail plea, the court criticized that if he was a regular employee, he would have been suspended. Justice Anand Venkatesh made the remarks against the minister.

In the order denying bail, the court mentioned that Senthil’s brother’s name was in the chargesheet and he was absconding. Aryama Sundaram, the senior lawyer who appeared for Senthil, requested that the bail should not be denied citing that his brother is absconding. He told the court that there is an order of the Supreme Court not to deny bail. It was then that Justice Venkatesh asked about Senthil continuing as minister without department for 230 days.

Minister Senthil Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 last year under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Senthil Balaji is currently in judicial custody in Puzhal Jail, Chennai. Senthil Balaji’s bail plea hearing postponed to 14th of next month. He was also ordered to reply to the ED on the bail plea.