Minister Senthil Balaji has been accused of abusing his position as a Minister and influencing the investigation initiated against him by the Enforcement Directorate, thus allegedly obstructing the due process of law and justice.
Even as Minister V Senthil Balaji faces serious criminal proceedings in many cases of corruption, including accepting bribes for jobs and money laundering, the Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi dismissed the jailed Minister from the Council of Ministers, with immediate effect.
In response, the Tamil Nadu Government has decided to move the Supreme Court, challenging the Governor's unilateral decision to dismiss Minister Senthil Balaji.
Minister Senthil Balaji has been accused of abusing his position as a Minister and influencing the investigation initiated against him by the Enforcement Directorate, thus allegedly obstructing the due process of law and justice.
Currently, Minister Senthil Balaji is in judicial custody in a criminal case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate. More criminal cases against him under Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code are being investigated by the State Police.
There are reasonable apprehensions that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers in Tamil Nadu will adversely impact the due process of law, including fair investigation that may eventually lead to breakdown of the Constitutional machinery in the State.