The Supreme Court on Wednesday came down heavily on the Tamil Nadu government for what it described as deliberate attempts to derail the trial in the high-profile cash-for-jobs scam involving former state minister V. Senthil Balaji. The court criticized the state’s move to implicate over 2,000 individuals as accused, calling the trial a “rudderless ship” and a “complete fraud on the judicial system.”
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi pulled up the state authorities for attempting to bury the case, remarking that “had there not been judicial intervention, the reluctant state wanted to give a decent burial” to the matter. The court has now sought a detailed list of all accused persons and witnesses involved in the trial.
With the number of accused touching over 2,000 and witnesses exceeding 500, the bench wryly observed, “It will be the most populated trial in India. A small courtroom won’t suffice; a cricket stadium may be needed just to mark the presence of the accused. Several AI-generated accused might pop up to mark their attendance.”

The remarks were made during a hearing on a plea opposing the clubbing of multiple FIRs in the scam. Senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Y. Balaji and victims of the scam, argued against the consolidation of the cases.
The court also responded sharply to the state’s representation by senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, noting that the appointment of a lone public prosecutor would not instill public confidence, especially when “a powerful minister and affluent persons” are among the accused. It hinted at the need for a special public prosecutor to ensure a fair and effective prosecution.
On Tuesday, the apex court had already expressed dismay over what it termed a calculated attempt by the state to delay the trial by inflating the list of accused. It underscored the gravity of such conduct, stating that it undermined the integrity of the justice system.
The controversy surrounding V. Senthil Balaji, 48, has been politically and legally contentious. After being arrested in a money-laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam, he was granted bail by the Supreme Court on September 26, 2024, following over 15 months in jail. However, his swift reinstatement to the Tamil Nadu Cabinet just three days later raised eyebrows.
Earlier this year, on April 23, the top court had directed Balaji to “choose between post and freedom,” warning that his bail could be revoked if he did not step down. He resigned on April 27, following the court’s stern stance.