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Senthil Balaji Case: The apex court has given some relief in bail to former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji. Now he will not have to appear in the ED office twice a week.
Senthil Balaji Case : The Supreme Court said a big thing in the matter of relaxing the stringent bail of former Tamil Nadu minister V. Senthil Balaji. The court on Monday said that in the money laundering case related to the alleged cash-for-job scam, ED officials should not call the office twice a week unless necessary. Apart from this, the top court also relaxed the second condition in which one was asked to appear in the trial court on every date of hearing. Also, if such an application is given then the presiding officer can consider the application for exemption on the basis of merit. At the same time, the bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked why this man needs to appear at the ED office in Chennai every Monday and Friday?
Why is there a need to appear?
The Supreme Court bench said that the Enforcement Directorate should try to save its officer, because this man will not have to wait in the office. However, lawyer Zoheb Hussain, appearing for the ED, said that while imposing conditions in the bench bail order, one should be aware of his behavior and the possibility of influencing the witnesses. At the same time, Kapil Sibal and lawyer Ram Shankar, appearing on behalf of the former minister, said that whenever the investigating agency asks him to appear, he will do so and this condition will no longer be of any use. On the other hand, the lawyer appearing for the complainant said that these conditions should be implemented because the former minister is a very influential person. On this the bench said that Balaji will appear before the Deputy Director if necessary. Also, if ED wants his presence then it will have to send him a notice first.
Will cooperate with the courts
Kapil Sibal had said that the second condition in which changes have been sought is that Balaji will be regularly present before the courts dealing with scheduled crimes as well as special courts and will cooperate with the courts for speedy disposal of cases. He argued that the investigation in the ED case has been completed and the charge sheet has been filed and since getting bail on September 26 last year, Balaji has appeared before the federal investigation agency 116 times.
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