New Delhi, July 30(HS): The Supreme Court reprimanded the Tamil Nadu government for implicating around two thousand individuals in the money laundering case tied to the cash-for-job scandal involving former minister Senthil Balaji. Justice Surya Kant noted that without judicial intervention, the matter would have been overlooked. The case involves two thousand accused and five hundred witnesses, deemed the largest trial in the country, necessitating a stadium-like space for proceedings.

Following the court's earlier warning on April 23, Balaji resigned, as the court indicated that he should step down or face bail revocation for pressuring the complainant to withdraw the case. Bail was initially granted based on trial delays and not case merits.

During hearings, Balaji argued that resuming his ministerial role violated no bail conditions and claimed the petitioner sought bail revocation as a ploy by political rivals. The petitioner alleged that Balaji's ministerial position could sway witnesses negatively. The Supreme Court ultimately declined to revoke bail, stating such an action might benefit others. It only considered the potential influence on witnesses from bail.

Balaji, arrested on June 14, 2023, has a chargesheet filed against him on August 12, 2023, concerning alleged recruitment irregularities in Tamil Nadu's transport department during his term as transport minister from 2011 to 2015.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar