New Delhi, 21st June 2023: The Indian Supreme Court today approved the transfer of imprisoned Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji to a private hospital. Balaji was treated at a government hospital in Chennai after being arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.
The Enforcement Directorate, which detained Balaji in connection with alleged cash-for-jobs fraud in the state transport department, has appealed to the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court ruling. The Supreme Court has approved Balaji’s relocation.
A vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice M M Sundresh of the Supreme Court noted that the petition was still pending in the high court and directed the ED to approach that court.
Bajali, Tamil Nadu’s power, prohibition and excise minister, was detained on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an alleged cash-for-jobs fraud that occurred while he was transport minister in an AIADMK government led by J Jayalalithaa.
The top court issued an interim order after Balaji’s wife filed a habeas corpus petition alleging wrongful detention.
