The Supreme Court on Monday eased two stringent bail conditions imposed on former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji in the money laundering case connected to the alleged cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as transport minister.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said Balaji will no longer be required to appear before the Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate in Chennai twice a week. His appearance will now be required only when summoned by the investigating agency, which must serve advance notice before seeking his presence.
“Why is this man required to appear before the Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate at Chennai on every Monday and Friday? …at least save your own officer from the harassment as he will have to wait twice per week for this gentleman to come,” the bench remarked during the hearing.
The court also relaxed the condition requiring Balaji to appear before the trial court on every date of hearing. It said that his request for exemption may be considered on merits if an application is filed.
Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Balaji, argued that the condition for bi-weekly appearance had lost its purpose as the probe was completed and a chargesheet had already been filed. Balaji had appeared before ED officials 116 times since securing bail on September 26 last year, he said, adding that his client had never absconded or violated court directions.
Advocate Zoheb Hussain, appearing for the ED, opposed easing the restrictions, pointing to the court’s earlier concerns regarding the possibility of the former minister influencing witnesses. Advocate Pranav Sachdeva, representing one of the complainants, supported retaining the existing conditions on the ground that Balaji remained an influential person.
The Supreme Court had granted bail to Balaji on September 26, 2024, after over 15 months in custody, noting the prolonged duration of the trial. Observing that more than 2,000 accused and over 600 witnesses were part of the proceedings, the bench had said, “Inordinate delay in the conclusion of the trial and the higher threshold for the grant of bail cannot go together.” His continued detention would amount to a violation of his fundamental right under Article 21, it had held.
While granting bail last year, the top court imposed conditions, including a bail bond of Rs 25 lakh with two sureties, surrendering his passport, and directing him not to contact prosecution witnesses or victims of scheduled offences.
Balaji was arrested on June 14, 2023, by the ED in connection with the alleged cash-for-job scam, and the agency later filed a 3,000-page chargesheet against him on August 12, 2023.
