New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to allow a bail plea of Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji on medical grounds, saying his sickness doesn't appear to be serious or life-threatening.
Balaji was on June 14 arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, following a nod from the top court in a cash for jobs scam.
A bench of Justices Bela M Trivedi and Subhash Chandra Sharma, went though health reports, to tell Balaji’s counsel that his client’s sickness doesn't appear to be serious or life-threatening.
Balaji challenged an order of the Madras High Court which dismissed his bail plea on October 19.
The high court had said that he was likely to influence witnesses if enlarged on bail.
Appearing for Balaji, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi submitted that his client is sick and he had a bypass.
The bench, however, said, "Today, bypass is like getting an appendix removed".
On behalf of the ED, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said 70 per cent of inmates would be sick if we go by the plea advanced by the petitioner.
The bench said the petitioner may apply for regular bail, as the court is not satisfied with his client’s illness.
Rohatgi said he will withdraw the plea for bail on health grounds and apply for regular bail. The court then dismissed the petition as withdrawn.
“Any observation made in the interim order against the petitioner on merits shall not come in the way of the petitioner in filing regular bail application,” the bench said.
On November 20, the Supreme Court directed DMK minister V Senthil Balaji, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case, to submit his latest medical reports.
The high court, in its order, had also said the health report of Balaji did not appear to reflect a medical condition which could be taken care of only if he was released on bail.
Published 28 November 2023, 05:44 IST
