All about the case in which ED arrested Tamil Nadu electricity minister Senthil Balaji

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Tamil Nadu electricity minister V Senthil Balaji in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with the alleged money laundering case having links to a job racket. ETV Bharat's R Lenin writes about the history of the case.

Chennai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Tamil Nadu electricity minister V Senthil Balaji in the early hours of Wednesday in connection with the alleged money laundering case having links to a job racket. Here is a quick recap about the background of the "Transport Department appointments scam" that led to the arrest of Senthil Balaji.

It all started when Ganesh Kumar and Devasagayam, two Chennai residents who had allegedly bribed the accused for government jobs filed, a complaint with the Central Crime Branch Police, alleging that Senthil Balaji, who was the then Transport Minister during the AIADMK regime from 2011 to 2015, committed money fraud by claiming to provide jobs in return of cash.

In the search conducted after this, various documents were seized from the house and offices belonging to Balaji in Chennai, Karur, Tiruvannamalai and Kumbakonam. At the end of the search operations conducted at various places, a case was registered against Balaji, his brother Ashokan, and assistant Shanmugam. Thereafter, a chargesheet was filed in a Special Court.

While it was stated that the 'victims' of the fraud had received their money back, the Madras High Court quashed the case against the four including Senthil Balaji. After one of the victims filed an appeal in the Supreme Court, the apex court quashed the order of the Madras High Court. The court quashed the money laundering case stating that criminal cases could not be avoided without investigation.

The Supreme Court then ordered to re-investigate the case related to graft from the beginning. The court ordered to register the case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Later, an appeal was filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of the ED seeking permission to conduct an investigation into the bribery issue.

The ED officials had, however, argued in the Supreme Court that it could accept the Madras High Court order quashing the summons sent to minister Senthil Balaji and others in the illegal money transfer case. The Supreme Court then ordered an inquiry against Minister Balaji in the case of job for cash.

What is the case against Senthil Balaji?

The alleged corruption case, wherein Balaji was arrested by the ED, dates back to November 2014. The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC), wholly owned by the Tamil Nadu government, had issued five advertisements inviting applications for various posts. According to data, the government meant to appoint people for different posts included drivers (746 posts), conductors (610 posts), junior tradesman (trainee) (261 posts), junior engineer (trainee) (13 posts), and assistant engineer (trainee) (40 posts).

Subsequently, an interview was held and the selected candidates' names were declared or published. Later, some persons, who had bribed could not secure jobs. Moreover, when they approached persons to whom they had bribed, they were ignored. The victims were compelled to run from pillar to post for the redressal of their grievances. Those who had allegedly bribed demanded a refund of money.

Some victims had filed a similar complaint in connection with the "job for cash scam". In 2021, the police prepared a final charge sheet against 47 persons, including minister Senthil Balaji and Shanmugam. The charges were filed under the relevant sections of the IPC, including the PC Act.

Again, the matter reached Supreme Court on March 23, 2023, and the Apex Court recently directed ED to resume the case. The accused Senthil Balaji was arrested by ED and landed in jail.