New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday has agreed to list a plea from the Enforcement Directorate against later this week against the orders of the Madras High Court allowing the shifting of arrested Tamil Nadu Minister (without portfolio) V Senthil Balaji, who is under medical treatment to a private facility from a state-run facility in Chennai. The court agreed to list plea for hearing on June 21.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta mentioned the matter before a vacation bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice M M Sundresh and sought an urgent hearing into the matter. Mehta told the bench that Balaji is an influential minister and the High Court has allowed his transfer to a private hospital.
The High Court on June 15 allowed the shifting of the minister, arrested by the ED and since under medical treatment at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specality Hospital to a private facility.
Read- 'Early' bypass surgery advised for Tamil Nadu electricity minister Senthil Balaji arrested by ED
The high court, which was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Balaji's wife, passed an interim order. It also issued notice to the ED on the main plea of 'illegal' arrest of Balaji. The matter was posted for hearing for further hearing on June 22.
The high court had said Balaji would continue to remain in judicial custody while allowing the probe agency to setup its own panel of doctors to examine the minister. The former Tamil Nadu Electricity and Prohibition and Excise minister was arrested by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. According to the ED, it is a cash for jobs 'scam' which unfolded when Balaji held the transport portfolio during the AIADMK regime led-by late J Jayalalithaa.
Read: ED raids against TN Minister Senthil Balaji: Stalin slams BJP for 'backdoor intimidation'
Read: Tamil Nadu: After ED arrest, AIADMK seeks Senthil Balaji's removal from Cabinet
