ED’s Verdict: Senthil Balaji’s Freedom at Stake

In the legal arena of Chennai, situated in Tamil Nadu, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) vehemently asserted its opposition before the esteemed Madras High Court. The focal point of contention revolved around the plea for bail presented on behalf of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Minister and prominent DMK figure, Senthil Balaji. The grounds for his arrest on June 14, 2023, stemmed from a money laundering case meticulously pursued by the central agency.

This legal entanglement traces its roots to a cash-for-job imbroglio initiated by the Central Crime Branch of Chennai, back when Balaji held the pivotal position of the transport minister during the preceding AIADMK regime.

Sources within the ED disclosed that Balaji, who relinquished his ministerial role on February 12, is accused of impeding the investigative process by asserting his prolonged detention. The ED, in a declarative statement, contends, “The ex-minister, Senthil Balaji, complains of unjustified incarceration, yet his release on bail may pose a threat to potential witnesses, thereby impeding the course of justice.”

Adding a layer of complexity to the situation, Balaji’s sibling, Ashok Kumar, implicated in the same case, remains elusive. The ED refutes Balaji’s claim of document tampering, asserting its falsehood. Consequently, the ED vehemently opposes the bail plea, urging an expeditious resolution of the case.

The latest chapter in this legal saga unfolded in the hallowed halls of the Madras High Court on a recent Thursday, with the ED presenting its arguments.

Emphasizing its due diligence, the ED asserts that it has lawfully obtained all pertinent documents with the requisite permissions from the special court.

The legal proceedings, intriguingly charged, have been adjourned to February 19, affording Balaji’s senior counsel, Aryama Sundaram, an opportunity to furnish a comprehensive rejoinder. Meanwhile, an ancillary development unfolds as the Madras Principal Sessions Court dismisses Balaji’s petition seeking a deferral of the ED case hearing.