SC notice to TN on introducing Balaji in cabinet soon after bail

The Supreme Court said on Friday that the continuation of V Senthil Balaji as a cabinet minister in Tamil Nadu could influence a large number of victims in the cash-for-jobs case hearing pending against him, and sought the response of the ruling DMK on recalling the bail granted to him in September.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

Hearing a plea challenging the setting aside of the bail granted to Balaji by the top court, a bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka said: "He wants to continue as minister. If there are a large number of witnesses who are victims and who are public servants, then this man holding a position as a cabinet minister, what will happen to them. A large number of victims he can influence."

Balaji is facing separate cases probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the state police department over the job fraud during his tenure as transport minister in the state from 2014-15.

The court issued notice on the application and posted the matter for hearing on January 15.

It allowed the request of the victims to add the state of Tamil Nadu to these proceedings and directed the state to provide details of witnesses. The bench, also comprising Justice Augustine George Masih said, "We direct the added respondent (TN) to file details of criminal cases against respondent (Balaji)." In addition, the court order said, "The state will place on record the number of witnesses to be examined, stating how many victims are witnesses and how many are public servants."