SC slams Senthil’s reinstatement as minister post bail
Hindustan TimesThe Supreme Court on Monday expressed concern over Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji’s reappointment to a cabinet position immediately after securing bail in a money-laundering matter arising out of an alleged cash-for-jobs case, emphasising the potential impact of the move on witnesses. What is this going on?” asked the bench as it heard a plea seeking recall of the court’s September 26 judgment that released Balaji on bail after his incarceration since June 2023. Balaji, represented by senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi in the court, faces allegations of being the “central and pivotal figure” in an alleged job racket scam linked to his tenure as transport minister. It added: “This is the only aspect on which prima facie we are inclined to consider the application, and while making it clear that there is no reason to interfere with the judgement on merits and adjudication of the application remains confined to the aforesaid.” The bench’s earlier decision to grant bail to Balaji had highlighted systemic issues in the enforcement of stringent bail conditions under special statutes such as PMLA.