‘Senthil Balaji granted bail after 471 days; SC only resort’, says Tamil Nadu CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK leader M.K. Stalin welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail to party leader V. Senthil Balaji and noted he languished in prison for 471 days in connection with a money laundering case.

In a post on X, Stalin said the former minister has been granted bail after 471 days and in the current situation, the Supreme Court seems to be the last resort for relief. “In the current situation where the Enforcement Directorate has been turned into an agency to oppress political opponents, the Supreme Court alone has been the dawn,” he said.

"The prison life did not extend for so many days even during the Emergency. The political conspiracies continued for 15 months (against Balaji). (They) tried to break Senthil Balaji's resolve by keeping him inside the prison," Stalin charged. "I welcome brother Senthil Balaji, who is walking out of the prison with more vigour. Your sacrifice is big. Your resolve is bigger," he added.

The apex court granted bail to former minister and DMK leader V. Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case registered in connection with alleged cash-for-job scam on Thursday. The former minister was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in June last year in connection with a cash-for-job scam while he was transport minister in erstwhile Jayalalithaa regime.

Balaji, who was the minister for electricity, prohibition and excise in the Stalin cabinet was retained even after arrest, as minister without portfolio,  by the CM hoping he might get released from prison on bail soon. Balaji had to tender resignation in February this year after Courts dismissed his multiple bail pleas.

Balaji’s continuance as minister was one of the flashpoints between Stalin and Governor R.N. Ravi. Following Balaji’s arrest, the governor expressed displeasure and unilaterally dismissed him from the cabinet in June last year. However, he had to reverse the action later.