Cash For Jobs Scam: Supreme Court Grants Bail to V Senthil Balaji in Money Laundering Case

Today (September 26, 2024, Thursday), the Supreme Court (SC) of India granted bail to former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in the money laundering case in connection with the cash for jobs scam. He was arrested in June 2023, by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and a charge-sheet was filed against him on August 12, 2023. The SC bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih delivered the verdict today allowing bail plea of V Senthil Balaji. While pronouncing the judgment, the bench said that stringent bail provisions and delay in trial cannot go together. It added, “We have referred to Najeeb and other judgements. What we have said is that stringent and higher threshold of bail and delay in prosecution cannot go together. And therefore we have slightly expanded the scope in Najeeb and bail granted but there are very onerous conditions put in the bail.” Earlier on August 12, 2024, the top court bench reserved verdict on bail plea of V Senthil Balaji. During the proceedings, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra represented former Tamil Nadu V Senthil Balaji whereas Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain appeared for the ED.