Chennai: On August 8, 2024, Principal Sessions Judge S Alli framed charges against V Senthil Balaji, a former minister in both the AIADMK and DMK governments and currently a DMK MLA. This action marks a crucial step in a high-profile money laundering case initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and follows an extended period of legal maneuvering and delays.
Senthil Balaji, who served as Excise and Power Minister in the DMK government under Chief Minister MK Stalin, was arrested by the ED on June 14, 2023. His arrest came after a prolonged investigation into allegations of money laundering. Following his arrest, Balaji was admitted to both government and private hospitals for treatment related to heart ailments. Despite his health issues, Balaji’s repeated petitions for bail in the Sessions Court and High Court were unsuccessful. His ongoing petition for bail is now pending before the Supreme Court.
Balaji’s detention has been a point of controversy, especially given his position as a former minister. He was initially allowed to retain his ministerial privileges even while in jail, including a special ward in the jail hospital, home-cooked meals, and frequent visits from supporters. However, objections from the ED, citing concerns that Balaji might tamper with evidence or influence witnesses, and the fact that his brother remains at large, led to his removal from the cabinet.
The legal troubles for Balaji began in 2021 when the ED filed cases against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The allegations stem from his tenure as Transport Minister during the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK government in 2014, where he is accused of receiving bribes from job aspirants in exchange for promises of employment in transport corporations. The Central Crime Branch of Chennai City Police had initially filed three cases against him, which led to the ED’s involvement.
The Supreme Court allowed the ED to proceed with their investigation. Following extensive searches at various locations, including Balaji’s residences and official premises, the ED arrested him in June 2023. In August 2023, the ED submitted a comprehensive 3,000-page charge-sheet detailing the allegations against him.
Throughout his legal battles, Balaji has filed multiple bail applications, all of which have been dismissed by the courts. In January 2024, Judge S Alli had scheduled the framing of charges for January 22. However, due to ongoing legal petitions and health concerns raised by Balaji, this was postponed. His petition to delay the framing of charges until the Supreme Court decided on his bail application was also denied.
On August 7, 2024, the Sessions Court directed prison authorities to produce Balaji in person for the framing of charges. When he appeared via video conference from Puzhal prison, the court extended his remand and addressed a petition seeking to adjourn the charge-framing proceedings. Despite Balaji’s request to postpone the charge-framing until the Supreme Court’s decision on his bail, the court insisted on proceeding. The judge read out the charges against Balaji, explaining that he was accused of generating proceeds of crime and knowingly collecting them, which falls under sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA.
Balaji denied the charges and pleaded not guilty. He requested a trial and the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. However, the judge informed him that his statement could not be recorded during the charge-framing phase. The court issued summons to three witnesses and adjourned the hearing to August 16, 2024. Balaji’s judicial remand was extended until then, marking the 54th extension of his remand.
Earlier in the day, Judge Alli had noted that Balaji was produced via video conference due to health issues. She also mentioned a pending criminal miscellaneous petition and directed that Balaji be produced in person on August 8, 2024, with a status report from the prison regarding his physical condition.
In related developments, the Madras High Court on August 7, 2024, ordered the Enforcement Directorate to respond to a petition filed by Balaji. This petition seeks to overturn a Sessions Court decision that refused to discharge him from the case. A division bench of Justices S M Subramaniam and V Sivagnanam has scheduled further hearings on the criminal revision petition for August 14, 2024. This petition also requests a stay on all further proceedings before Judge Alli.
