Chennai (Tamil Nadu): Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji's judicial custody was extended till October 13 by the Principal Sessions Court in Chennai on Friday. Balaji was produced before the court via video conferencing. He is currently lodged in the Puzhal prison. The court had rejected his bail plea on September 20.
While opposing Senthil Balaji's bail plea, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated that to the court he could influence witnesses and tamper with the evidence as he is a minister in the government. Formerly, he was holding portfolios in departments like transport, excise and electricity.
The medical issues mentioned in the bail petition were not of such nature. It is not that the applicant could not be taken care of by doctors at the prison hospital, stated the court while dismissing his bail plea. On June 14, Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. The ED filed a charge sheet against the minister in the court of Principal District and Sessions judge in Chennai on August 12.
Earlier, the case was transferred to the special court that was hearing cases against MPs and MLAs on the premises of the District Collectorate in Chennai. The minister's judicial custody was extended till September 15. As per the Madras High Court's order the case was again transferred to Madras Principal Sessions Court. The minister's bail plea was dismissed by the court on September 20. The minister's judicial custody was extended for the seventh consecutive time till October 13.
Also read: Madras HC orders principal district judge in Chennai to hear Senthil Balaji's bail plea
