Arrested T.N. Minister Senthilbalaji moves Supreme Court in cash-for-jobs scam case

Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji has appealed to the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court decision that a court order for his remand in money laundering charges linked to the cash-for-jobs scam prevails over a habeas corpus petition. The ED had sought SC intervention, and the top court had left it to the High Court to decide. The ruling revived ED's power to interrogate Balaji, and the apex court had earlier paved the way for investigation against him.

Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji on July 18 appealed the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court decision that a court order for his remand in money laundering charges linked to the cash-for-jobs scam will prevail over a habeas corpus petition filed by his wife, Megala.

The High Court had found the habeas corpus plea not maintainable in law.

The High Court further clarified that the time spent by Mr. Senthilbalaji, represented by advocate Amit Anand Tiwari, under medical treatment in a private hospital would be excluded from the period of custody allowed to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

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The order has revived the central investigative agency’s power to subject Mr. Senthilbalaji to interrogation as soon as he comes out of the hospital.

The ruling by a third judge, Justice C.V. Karthikeyan, followed a split verdict given by a Division Bench of the High Court.

The ED had asked the Supreme Court to intervene after the split verdict. However, the apex court, on July 4, refused while requesting the High Court Chief Justice to expeditiously constitute a larger Bench. Justice Karthikeyan was assigned as the third judge, and the verdict against the Minister was pronounced on July 14.