In a significant development, the Madras High Court has agreed to hear the bail plea of Minister V Senthilbalaji, who has been in custody since June 14. The Minister, who held the Transport portfolio during the AIADMK regime, faces allegations of involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam, and his bail request is based on health concerns.
Senior Counsel N R Elango appeared before Justice G Jayachandran to bring attention to the impending bail petition on behalf of the jailed minister. He emphasized the urgency of the matter, citing Senthilbalaji’s health complications and the need for immediate medical treatment.
Responding to the request, Justice Jayachandran scheduled an early hearing for the bail plea on Wednesday. This development comes after Senthilbalaji was briefly admitted to Stanley government hospital on October 9 due to health issues before being returned to Puzhal central prison.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a case against Senthilbalaji under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scandal. He was arrested at his Chennai residence on June 14 and subsequently placed in judicial custody by the principal sessions court on the same day.
Senthilbalaji’s health concerns led to him undergoing surgery to address an artery vein blockage while in custody, after which he was transferred back to Puzhal prison. During his appearance before the sessions court on August 12, the ED submitted a comprehensive charge sheet consisting of approximately 200 pages and 3,000 pages of related documents, all sealed.
It’s worth noting that the principal sessions court in Chennai, responsible for hearing the PMLA case against the minister, had previously declined to grant him bail.