The Enforcement Directorate on Monday moved the Supreme Court against an order of the Madras High Court allowing arrested Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji, who was undergoing medical treatment at a Government hospital in Chennai, to a private facility. The Tamil Nadu Electricity, and Prohibition and Excise Minister was arrested by the ED on June 14 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in an alleged cash for jobs scam that took place when he was the Transport Minister in an AIADMK Government led by the late J Jayalalithaa.
The High Court passed an interim order after Balaji's wife filed a habeas corpus petition alleging illegal arrest.
Balaji has reportedly been advised a coronary bypass surgery. Solicitor-General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the ED, mentioned the matter before a vacation Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice MM Sundresh seeking an urgent hearing.
Mehta told the Bench that Balaji is an influential Minister and the High Court has allowed his transfer to a private hospital which could hamper investigation. Expressing disinclination about entertaining the petition, the top court said the High Court should be allowed to pass a final order first on the petition filed by Balaji's wife.