Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji was granted bail by the Supreme Court today in connection with the alleged cash-for-jobs scam, which dates back to his tenure as the state’s transport minister between 2011 and 2015. Balaji, who has been in jail since June 2023, was accused by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of being involved in the scam while serving under the late J Jayalalithaa during her AIADMK-led government.
Balaji was serving as the electricity minister in the MK Stalin-led DMK government when he was arrested in June 2023. The ED detained him after several hours of questioning. Shortly after his arrest, Balaji complained of chest pain and was subsequently hospitalised.
The ED filed a 3,000-page charge sheet against him on August 12, 2022, detailing the alleged financial irregularities. Despite several attempts, including a bail plea rejected by the high court on October 19, as well as multiple rejections from a local court, the Supreme Court has now granted him bail.
This decision comes as a significant relief for Senthil Balaji, who has been battling the charges in connection with the scam, which allegedly took place during his tenure in the AIADMK government.
