Former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji granted bail in money laundering case

A Supreme Court bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Augustine George Masih had reserved the judgement on August 12. The bench had highlighted the issue of delay in trial.

The top court said the delay in trial and strict bail provisions can't co-exist.

Justice Oka said as quoted by Live Law, "We have referred to Najeeb and other judgements. What we have said is that stringent and higher threshold of bail and delay in prosecution cannot go together.

"And therefore we have slightly expanded the scope in Najeeb and granted bail but there are very onerous conditions put in the bail."

Balaji was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate last year.

He was arrested by the ED last year in connection with a money laundering case in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam case during his tenure as Transport Minister in the previous AIADMK regime (2011-2015).

Rejecting his bail plea, the Madras High Court had earlier said it would send a wrong signal if Balaji was granted bail in a case of this nature.

The High Court had said it would be appropriate to direct the special court to finish the case within a certain time as the accused was in custody for more than eight months.

Senthilbalaji, who had remained as a Minister without portfolio after his arrest, resigned from the State Cabinet on February 12 this year.