Madras High Court rejects the bail plea of Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji in cash-for-job scam

On Thursday, the Madras High Court rejected the bail application of Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who is being held in custody due to a money laundering case involving cash-for-jobs that was filed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED). The Madras High Court on Monday reserved its decisions regarding the bail plea for today after hearing the arguments from both ED and Senthil Balaji. Balaji claimed in his petition that his health was such that he needed ongoing physical therapy. Additionally, his attorneys argued that he had chronic lacunar stroke symptoms that had been verified by a doctor.

However, the ED opposed the bail by saying that he is not suffering from a health condition that can not be treated in the prison hospital, adding that a health condition that requires immediate medical attention can be the reason for granting bail.
ED also argued in the court that if he gets bail there is a high chance that he may tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.
ED arrested Balaji on June 14. According to ED, the Cash-for-Jobs scam happened when he was the Transport Minister during the previous AIADMK regime.

Balaji was taken to a government hospital in Chennai after complaining of chest pain following his arrest on June 14. He was then transferred from the Tamil Nadu government’s Multi Super Speciality Hospital to Kauvery Hospital in Alwarpet after the Madras High Court approved his transfer to a private hospital of his choosing on June 15. His medical professionals had suggested a bypass operation. Balaji was transferred to prison as soon as he was released from the hospital because his second remand period was valid until July 19.