High Court dismisses bail petition of Senthilbalaji
The Madras High Court on Wednesday dismissed the second bail petition filed by former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the ED last year in connection with a money laundering case.
This was the second time in four months, that the DMK leader’s plea for the relief was rejected by the HC.
Justice N Anand Venkatesh said, “In the light of the above discussion, this court does not find any merits in this bail petition and accordingly, the same is hereby dismissed”.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified the proceeds of crime at ₹67.74 crore.
“If the petitioner is let out on bail in a case of this nature, it will send a wrong signal and it will be against larger public interest. Therefore, this Court holds that even under Section 439 Cr.PC, the petitioner is not entitled to be considered for enlargement on bail”, the judge added.
The judge said the petitioner has suffered incarceration for more than eight months and therefore, it will be more appropriate to direct the Special Court, to dispose of the case within a time frame.
Accordingly, there shall be a direction to the Principal Special Court, Chennai, to dispose of the case within a period of three months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.