Supreme Court Displeased with Tamil Nadu’s Delay Tactics
The Supreme Court expressed its displeasure on Tuesday over the Tamil Nadu government’s attempts to delay the trial in cases involving former state minister V Senthil Balaji by implicating more than 2,000 people in an alleged cash-for-jobs scam.
Justice Seeks Accountability
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi described this tactic as a “complete fraud on the judicial system” and demanded a list of all matters pending before the court related to Balaji. The case has been set for hearing on Wednesday to address these concerns.
Justice Kant raised critical questions about the other individuals involved besides the minister, including alleged brokers, middlemen, officers, and selection committee members. He pointed out that the state’s actions seem aimed at prolonging the trial indefinitely.
Court Calls Out State’s Maneuvers
The bench expressed concerns that the state’s approach is deliberately delaying the trial to ensure it never concludes during Balaji’s lifetime. The court highlighted how individuals coerced into paying for jobs under duress by the former minister are now being painted as guilty parties in this scandal.
The counsel representing the state was questioned sharply about this strategy, which was labeled a “complete fraud” on the system by the court.
Legal Maneuvering Unmasked
Senior advocates representing Tamil Nadu claimed that the petitioner was engaging in forum shopping by directly approaching the Supreme Court instead of the High Court to represent the victims of the scam. The petitioner’s counsel accused the state of colluding with the former minister to stall the trial.
During the hearing of the petition challenging the Madras High Court’s decision on multiple chargesheets related to the scam, it was revealed that around 2,300 individuals are implicated in cases associated with V Senthil Balaji.
Minister Faces Legal Heat
V Senthil Balaji resigned from the state cabinet on April 27 after being reprimanded by the top court. An ultimatum was issued to him earlier to choose between his post and his freedom, leading to his eventual resignation.
Despite spending over 15 months in jail, Balaji was granted bail by the court on September 26, 2024, with doubts about the impending trial conclusion. He was reinstated as a minister last year by the Tamil Nadu Governor, drawing criticism for his swift return to a position of power.
Conclusion of Legal Saga
The former minister’s arrest in 2023 over the alleged scam that occurred during his tenure as the transport minister from 2011 to 2015 culminated in a 471-day incarceration. An ED investigation into money laundering allegations shed light on systemic corruption within the state transport department during his leadership.
With these developments, the legal battle surrounding V Senthil Balaji continues as the judicial system strives to bring accountability and justice to this complex case.
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