Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji produced before court for further proceedings

Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 28 (ANI): Tamil Nadu Minister Senthil Balaji who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate officials in connection with the cash for jobs scam case was produced in the MP/MLAs special Court in Chennai today.

The Court was surrounded with high police security even as Senthil Balaji’s advocates were waiting outside the court.

Jailed Minister Senthil Balaji was then produced before Justice Ravi of the MLA/MP Special Court for further proceedings.

Earlier, on August 25, The special court for MP/MLAs extended Senthil Balaji’s judicial custody till August 28 and instructed the jail authorities to produce Senthil Balaji physically on August 28 for further proceedings.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Senthil Balaji under PMLA for cash for jobs scam, on June 14. After dramatic scenes in hospital and a legal battle between ED and Senthil Balaji’s advocates, the Supreme Court ordered the ED to take Senthil Balaji into custody to question him.

After 5 days of questioning by ED in the Nungambakkam ED office, he was produced before the sessions court in Chennai on August 12. Later the sessions court transferred the case to the special court for MP/MLAs. 

He however continues to be a Minister without portfolio. Senthil Balaji, after his arrest, had complained of chest pain, and was subsequently taken to a government hospital in Chennai.

He was later allowed by the Madras High Court on June 15 to be shifted to a private hospital of his choice, and was later taken from the Tamil Nadu government’s Multi Super Speciality Hospital to Kauvery Hospital at Alwarpet.

Doctors treating him had recommended a bypass surgery. Since his second remand period was valid till July 19, Balaji was shifted to prison immediately after his discharge from the hospital. Arrested by the ED in a cash-for-jobs scam case, he was taken from Kauvery Hospital to Puzhal prison.