T.N. Minister Senthilbalaji withdraws plea for medical bail in cash-for-jobs scam case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji to withdraw his petition seeking medical bail in the cash-for-job scam. Justice Bela M. Trivedi, after going through his medical records, orally remarked that Mr. Balaji “seemed to be hale and hearty”. senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for the Minister, said his condition made him vulnerable to a brain stroke. Mr. Rohatgi said Mr. Balaji was “sick”.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 allowed Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji to withdraw his petition seeking medical bail in the cash-for-jobs scam.

Justice Bela M. Trivedi, after going through his medical records, orally remarked that Mr. Senthilbalaji “seemed to be hale and hearty”.

But senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, for the Minister, said his condition made him vulnerable to a brain stroke. Mr. Rohatgi said Mr. Senthilbalaji was “sick”.

“Then several inmates in prisons should be sick…” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), countered.

Mr. Rohatgi said the question was whether the Minister was sick or not. The law only required the undertrial to be “infirm” to exercise his right to seek medical treatment.

Justice Trivedi pointed out that Mr. Senthilbalaji was a Minister “without a portfolio”.