Annamalai has requested the Tamil Nadu Chief minister to remove Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji, in view of the Supreme Court verdict asking the agencies to proceed with the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) cash-for-job scam.
The Supreme Court has set aside the Madras High Court’s October 31, 2022 ruling, directing a fresh probe into the cash-for-jobs scam wherein then Transport Minister Senthil Balaji had promised jobs driver, conductor and other jobs at TNSTC in return for money.
The Supreme Court has directed the Tamil Nadu Police to file a case against Minister Senthil Balaji under the Prevention of Corruption Act and complete the investigation within two months in connection with an appeal filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleging that he accepted a bribe on the pretext of getting him a job in the transport department.
The Madras High Court had quashed the case against the then Transport Minister Senthil Balaji and others for allegedly taking bribes on the pretext of getting them jobs in the transport department, on the ground that they had returned the bribe money they had taken.
“What is shocking is that the High Court directed reinvestigation to be started ab initio, wiping out the earlier investigation altogether,” the bench said.
“The High Court not only directed the wiping out of the investigation carried out so far, but virtually wiped out even the judgment of this Court of September 08, 2022. Hail judicial discipline!,” the bench added.
Pointing this out, Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai said that the Tamil Nadu police and the DMK government are working hand-in-glove to save Senthilbalaji.
“How will a fair investigation be done if he remains as Minister?” Annamalai asked demanding his resignation.
தமிழக அமைச்சராக இருக்கும் திரு செந்தில் பாலாஜி மீது, தமிழகக் காவல்துறை விசாரணை நடத்துவது என்பது எந்த அளவுக்கு நேர்மையாக நடைபெறும் என்பது கேள்விக்குறி.
உடனடியாக, திரு செந்தில் பாலாஜியை அமைச்சர் பதவியிலிருந்து நீக்க வேண்டும் என்று தமிழக முதல்வரை கேட்டுக் கொள்கிறோம்.
அறிக்கை:…
— K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) May 17, 2023
It is clear that the Tamil Nadu government and the police are working together to save Senthil Balaji, who is a powerful minister in the DMK government, from a corruption case. If Senthil Balaji continues in the cabinet when the case is going on against him, how will there be a fair trial?” said Annamalai.
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