The Principal Sessions Court has transferred the money laundering case involving Minister Senthilbalaji to the Special Court designated for exclusive trials of cases against Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
This decision follows the filing of a prosecution complaint by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had initiated the investigation based on three FIRs registered by the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Chennai, related to the ‘cash for jobs’ scam in the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation and Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai).
The ED investigation revealed that Senthilbalaji, along with his associates, allegedly abused his position as the former Transport Minister to solicit illegal gratification from candidates seeking jobs in the transportation sector. The Supreme Court’s May 16 order directed Tamil Nadu police to conduct further investigation and file a supplementary chargesheet while permitting the ED to proceed with its probe.
The investigation reportedly uncovered substantial cash deposits in accounts linked to Senthilbalaji and his wife, as well as evidence indicating the utilization of proceeds from the alleged illicit activities. Senthilbalaji was confronted with this evidence but failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, according to the ED statement.