In a significant development, a sessions court in the city on Thursday framed charges against V Senthil Balaji, former Tamil Nadu Minister, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The charges stem from allegations of a job recruitment scam during his tenure as Transport Minister under the earlier AIADMK government. Principal Sessions Judge S Alli presided over the proceedings where Balaji was produced by the prison authorities.
Judge Alli articulated the charges under section 3 of the PMLA, which are punishable under section 4 of the same Act. During the hearing, when asked by the judge, Balaji pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution’s case highlights illicit transactions, including cash receipts for job placements, subsequent bank deposits, and property purchases, purportedly as part of the money laundering activities.
In his defense, Balaji denied all allegations, asserting that the charges were the result of political vendetta and expressed his desire to cross-examine the witnesses. However, Judge Alli noted that such statements could not be recorded during the current phase of proceedings.
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The court has extended Balaji’s remand until August 16 and has issued summons to three witnesses to be examined on the same day. The Enforcement Directorate, which arrested Balaji on June 14, 2023, has already submitted a comprehensive 3000-page charge sheet against him in August last year.
