T.N. Minister Senthilbalaji responds to ED’s allegations in cash-for-jobs scam case

Supreme Court had asked Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji to respond clearly to its question whether he found it fit to continue as a Government Minister while arraigned as an accused in the case

Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) responded to ED/CBI allegations that he is influencing witnesses in the cash-for-jobs scam case. The Supreme Court had asked him to respond clearly to its question whether he found it fit to continue as a Government Minister while arraigned as an accused in the case.

In his affidavit, Mr. Senthilbhalaji responded that he was not prohibited from being a Minister by the Supreme Court in its bail order. His appointment as Minister was neither contrary to the bail conditions of the SC judgment of September 26, 2024 nor contrary to any law.

“No specific allegation by the complainant, Vidhya Kumar, that as a Minister he had exerted influence over any witnesses. Recalling of bail is rare. The application filed by ED to recall his bail is not maintainable, devoid of substance and ought to be dismissed at the outset,” Mr. Senthilbhalaji argued.

Also read | Supreme Court grants bail to former Tamil Nadu Minister Senthilbalaji in money laundering case

Earlier in September 2024, the top court had granted bail to Mr. Senthilbalaji in a money laundering case, saying liberty cannot be withheld as a form of punishment. A Bench of Justices A.S. Oka and Augustine George Masih noted Mr. Senthilbalaji has been incarcerated for over 15 months.

The three First Information Reports (FIRs) and several chargesheets covering scheduled offences, including criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption, have arraigned over 2,000 accused and more than 600 witnesses.