Senthil Balaji to move HC as two Chennai courts refuse to take up bail plea

Chennai, Aug 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) Jailed Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthil Balaji, arrested in connection with a money laundering case, is likely to approach the Madras High Court after two courts in Chennai refused to take up his bail plea.

Balaji, currently a minister without portfolio, had on Monday filed a bail application in the special court for cases against MPs and MLAs but the court directed him to approach the regular sessions court that had remanded him to judicial custody.

The minister then filed the bail application before the Principal Sessions Court judge, S. Alli, on Tuesday.

Balaji has spent over 75 days in prison. The two Chennai courts refused to hear his case following confusion over the jurisdiction of a special court and a sessions court.

When the case came up for hearing on Wednesday in sessions court, the judge said that the special court hearing cases against MLAs and MPs could only hear his bail plea.

The court also passed an order stating that the special court has the power to hear the bail application of the minister.

The Special Court judge, however, refused to hear the case, stating that his court did not have the power and jurisdiction to hear the cases registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The judge also directed the minister to approach the Madras High Court for clarity and necessary orders.

Senthil Balaji is expected to approach the Madras High Court on Thursday for clarity and further orders in the matter.

He was arrested on June 14 by the Enforcement Directorate in a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act related to cash for job scam that took place when he was a minister during the previous AIADMK regime.

Source: IANS