Former Minister Senthil Balaji's Judicial Custody Extended for the 34th Time; next hearing on April 25

Senthil Balaji's judicial custody was extended until April 25 by a Principal Sessions Court in Chennai in connection with an money-laundering case. This marks the 34th extension of his custody.


Chennai: Former Electricity Minister Senthil Balaji was arrested by the ED on June 14 last year, on a charge of money-laundering that arose from a case relating to a cash-for-jobs scam in the Metropolitan Transport Corporation, which was filed against him by the Central Crime Branch of the Greater Chennai Police.

Today, a Principal Sessions Court in Chennaihas extended his judicial custody until April 25, marking the 34th extension. It may be noted that his applications for bail previously submitted to both the Chennai High Court and the Principal Sessions Court were dismissed multiple times. 

Following the denial of his bail applications, a new petition was filed on behalf of Senthil Balaji, requesting the submission of original bank documents in court, which is essential for arguing the case. Additionally, a petition to allow a re-argument on the previously rejected bail application was filed in the Principal Sessions Court.

Judge S. Alli of the Principal Sessions Court, who considered this latest petition, granted permission for further arguments on the bail plea. In the meantime, Judge Alli ordered the prison authorities to produce Senthil Balaji after 3 PM today to obtain his signature and receive the bank documents related to the case, in-person.

Amid police security, Senthil Balaji was presented at the Principal Sessions Court, today. After obtaining his signature and the necessary bank documents, the court scheduled to commence arguments on the bail plea from April 25 and extended his judicial custody till then.

It may be recalled that the Supreme Court bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyansought response from the Enforcement Directorate on his bail plea, and issued notice to the agency and directed it to file reply by April 29.

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