Tasmac graft: SC grants Senthilbalaji protection from arrest, but with riders

NEW DELHI: In a major relief to DMK leader and former minister V Senthil Balaji, the Supreme Court on Friday granted him anticipatory bail till further orders in a fresh corruption case lodged against him by the Tamil Nadu government.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stayed his arrest with the conditions that he will cooperate with the investigation, deposit his passport and not influence any witnesses and tamper with evidence.

A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stayed his arrest with the conditions that he will cooperate with the investigation, deposit his passport and not influence any witnesses and tamper with evidence.

“You immediately come to us even if there is a slightest breach in bail conditions. We will modify or cancel our orders,” Justice Bagchi told senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar, appearing for the Tamil Nadu government.

The case, pertaining to alleged irregularities in the Tamil Nadu Stat Marketing Corporation (Tasmac) saw fast-paced twists and turns over the past couple of days.

On Thursday, the Madras High Court had dismissed his pre-arrest bail plea saying his custodial interrogation was needed.

Within a couple of hours, a battery of senior lawyers led by Kapil Sibal mentioned the appeal against the denial of bail before the apex court for urgent hearing. When the matter came up on Friday, Justice Mohana recused herself from hearing.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice asked Krishnakumar why Balaji’s custodial interrogation was needed as the case was largely based on documentary evidence. The senior counsel replied that the allegations pertain to the incident of 2021-25 and Balaji prevented the registration of the FIR as he was then a minister and therefore he cannot get a blanket protection from the court. Justice Bagchi pointed out that he was no longer a minister and the state government was not under his influence.

The top court issued notice to Tamil Nadu government on the plea and said the government can approach the court, if his custodial interrogation was needed in the case. Meanwhile, seeking exemption from an anticipatory bail condition in the cashfor-vote case, Balaji has sought a four-day excuse from reporting to the Triplicane Police, undertaking to report on August 5.

“You immediately come to us even if there is slightest breach in bail conditions. We will modify or cancel our orders,” Justice Bagchi told senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar appearing for the Tamil Nadu government.