City court dismisses DMK Minister Senthil Balaji's bail plea
DMK Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate earlier in connection with a money laundering case in June. Dismissing the petition, Principal Sessions Judge S Alli said an earlier bail application filed by the petitioner on June 14, 2023 was dismissed by this court two days later.
The court does not find any change of circumstance, except the facts of completion of investigation and filing of complaint, which were not the major grounds for granting bail, the judge added.
The judge said the petitioner was a MLA and a sitting Minister of the Government of Tamil Nadu. He previously held key portfolios like Transport, Electricity and Excise etc.
«Considering the gravity of offence, overwhelming materials against the petitioner, the status of the petitioner and the fact that the petitioner has not satisfied the twin conditions of Section 45 of the PMLA, this court does not find reasonable grounds for believing that the petitioner was not guilty of the offence or that he is not likely to commit any offence while on bail and taking overall view of the matter, the court is not inclined to grant bail to the petitioner on merits and also on medical grounds», the judge added.
Referring to the twin conditions imposed in section 45 of PMLA, the judge said admittedly, the Special Public Prosecutor has been given an opportunity to oppose the bail application and he has resisted the bail by filing a detailed counter.
