The Supreme Court asked Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji to choose between his minister post and the bail he received.
Balaji was arrested in 2023 in a money laundering case. It was linked to a job scam during his time as Transport Minister. He spent 14 months in jail.
The Supreme Court gave him bail in September last year. The next day, he resumed his post as a minister.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) objected. They said he could use his power to affect the case.
Yesterday Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan raised serious concerns. They asked, “Do you want the minister post or the bail?” They said the bail was not given on merit.
The judges noted that he was not in office when bail was granted. The court gave time till April 28. Balaji must tell the court what he chooses.