Choose between post or freedom: SC gives ultimatum to minister

The Supreme Court on Wednesday slammed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader V Senthil Balaji and asked him to make a choice "between post and freedom", warning him of cancelling bail granted to him in a money laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam if he did not step down as minister in Tamil Nadu.

- Abraham Thomas

NEW DELHI:

A bench of justices Abhay S Oka and AG Masih took exception to the fact that Balaji was reinstated as a Tamil Nadu minister days after the top court granted him bail in September last year.

"At the time of grant of bail, you did not have the power to influence witnesses as you were not a minister. After you are granted bail, you become a minister. We will not tolerate that you make a mockery of the entire process," the bench said.