• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court on Monday expressed surprise at DMK leader Senthil Balaji's reappointment as minister in Tamil Nadu soon after he was granted bail in the money laundering case. A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih stated that anyone will get the impression that the witness against the DMK leader will be under pressure. The remarks from the apex court came while the bench was hearing a plea seeking to recall the judgment that granted bail to Balaji. 

"We grant bail and the next day you go and become Minister, anybody will be bound under the impression that now with your position as a senior Cabinet Minister witnesses will be under pressure. What is this going on?" Justice AS Oka was quoted as saying by Live Law. However, the bench said that it would not recall the judgment and further asked Balaji's counsel to get instructions and posted the matter to December 13.

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"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 judgment on merits and adjudication of the application remains confined to the aforesaid," the bench added. 

The apex court granted bail to Balaji on September 26 on the ground of his long incarceration since June 2023 and the unlikelihood of the trial soon. Balaji took an oath as the minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin. He took charge over the portfolios of electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition & excise.

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Senthil Balaji is a four-term MLA who started his political career with the DMK. However, he joined the AIADMK for a while before rejoining the DMK. Balaji was arrested in June last year in connection with corruption charges during his tenure as the transport minister in the AIADMK government from 2011 to 2015.