Supreme Court Relaxes Senthil Balaji's Bail Condition In Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court on Monday relaxed the bail condition imposed on ex-Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji that he should appear every Monday and Friday between 11 am and 12 noon at the office of the Deputy Director, the Directorate of Enforcement at Chennai. 

Modifying the condition, the bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed that Balaji will appear before the Dy. Director "as and when so required" by the officer. The Court held that advance notice should be served on Balaji if his presence was required.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Balaji, submitted that the investigation is over and the complaint has been filed before the Special Court. Hence, there was no requirement to insist on the appearance before the ED Dy.Director.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain, for the ED, opposed the application, saying that the condition was imposed considering the seriousness of the crime. The conditions were imposed by the Supreme Court's order passed in September 2024 which granted him bail in the money laundering case related to the cash-for-jobs scam.

The bench questioned the rationale of insisting on appearance before the officer twice a month.

"A man is going before you every Monday- Friday; he has a cup of tea with your officer. Is this necessary?" CJI Kant asked.

"For 1.5 years, the person attends twice a week... is there any default by him? At least save the harassment of your officer. He has to wait for him every Monday, Friday," Justice Bagchi added.

The Court also modified the bail condition requiring his attendance before the Special PMLA Court on every day of the trial. "It is clarified that as and when there is a specific hardship, the appellant is unable to appear before the sessions court, he shall apply and the court shall consider as per own merits," the Court ordered.

Case Title: V. SENTHIL BALAJI v. THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR, Diary No. - 63441/2025