NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday reserved its judgment on a plea for bail moved by former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in 2023 after a nod from the top court, in connection with a money laundering case in the cash-for-job scam.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih wrapped up proceedings in the matter upon hearing the arguments by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, for the Enforcement Directorate, and senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, for Balaji.
In their arguments, Balaji's counsel contended that the petitioner has been in jail for more than a year and there was no possibility of completion of trial anytime soon.
They said Balaji had also undergone surgery after his arrest.
They also said the allegations are that Balaji is influential, but now he is no longer holding the portfolio.
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Vehemently opposing the plea for grant of bail by the DMK leader, Mehta said the delay in trial was only attributable to the ex-minister.
Rohatgi said the case involved thousands of witnesses and there was no threat to any of them.
He also refuted any change of tampering of evidence.
In a counter to the submission, Mehta said petitioner's brother has been absconding.
He claimed the agency was in possession of evidence showing deposit of cash in his account.
He also claimed that the petitioner has been winning over the witnesses and the victims.
Mehta said mere incarceration of one year and a potential danger of delay in trial may not be good grounds to release him.
Balaji challenged the Madras High Court order of October, 2023, dismissing his bail plea.
The High Court had said that he was likely to influence witnesses if enlarged on bail and also from the health report of Balaji it did not appear to be a medical condition, which could be taken care of only if he was released on bail.
In June 2023, the ED arrested Balaji after a nod from the Supreme Court in connection with a money laundering case linked to a cash-for-jobs scam when he was the transport minister during the AIADMK regime.
The action against the Minister followed the Supreme Court's judgement in May, 2023 allowing the CBI and the ED to quiz him in the cash-for-job case during his tenure as Transport Minister between 2011 and 2016.
