V Senthil Balaji, Tamil Nadu Minister, sees Judicial Custody Prolonged till January 11.

Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji, facing allegations in a money laundering case, sees his judicial custody extended until January 11. Despite asserting the legitimacy of his income, the legal battle persists, with repeated bail petitions dismissed and ongoing investigations by the Enforcement Directorate.

Image Source -www.thehindu.com

In an ongoing legal saga, Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji faces extended judicial custody until January 11. Balaji, a DMK leader, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14, 2023, in connection with a money laundering case stemming from an alleged cash-for-jobs scandal during his tenure as Transport Minister in a prior AIADMK government.

Held at Puzhal prison, Balaji underwent bypass surgery following his arrest. Recently, the Principal Sessions Judge, S Alli, adjourned the hearing on Balaji's bail petition to January 8. The ED's counsel, N Ramesh, requested time to file a counter affidavit, prolonging the legal process.

In his plea, Balaji refuted the ED's claims, arguing that the alleged undisclosed income was either non-existent or part of his disclosed earnings. He challenged the ED's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), asserting a lack of substantial evidence connecting the funds to illicit activities. However, the ED insists that the income sources are linked to an appointment scam.

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The DMK leader maintained that his financial transactions were legitimate and transparent, as reflected in his official financial statements. He vehemently opposed the ED's pursuit, labeling it as baseless and unlawful, presenting evidence supporting the legality of his earnings.

Since his arrest, Balaji underwent bypass surgery and faced continuous interrogation by the ED, resulting in repeated extensions of his judicial custody. In August 2023, the ED filed a comprehensive 3,000-page charge sheet against him. Despite multiple attempts, Balaji's bail pleas were dismissed, creating a challenging legal situation for the prominent politician in Tamil Nadu.