Chennai: A city court on Thursday framed charges against former Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji in a money laundering case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Balaji was produced before court in person
Balaji was produced before Principal Sessions Judge S Alli, who framed charges against the former minister, and read out the charges to Balaji. The court framed charges against Balaji under section 3 of the PMLA, punishable under section 4 of the PMLA.
The judge also read out the prosecution case, according to which he generated proceeds of crime and thereby knowingly collected the proceeds, which attracted the offences under section 3 and 4 of the PMLA.
Balaji denied charges against him, said he was not guilty
The court, after framing the charges against Balaji, asked whether he was pleading guilty or not, he denied the charges and said he was not guilty and had not committed any offence, , news agency PTI reported.
The court, which had on Wednesday, directed jail authorities to produce Balaji in person before the court on Thursday for framing of charges against him, also extended the judicial custody of Balaji till August 16.
ED arrested Balaji in money laundering case on June 14 last year
The ED arrested Balaji on June 14 last year in the money laundering case connected to a cash-for-jobs scam when he was the transport minister of the state of Tamil Nadu during an earlier AIADMK government.
The chargesheet against Balaji in the money laundering case was filed by the ED on August 12 last year.
Balaji’s bail plea in the money laundering case is currently pending before Supreme Court
Balaji’s plea seeking bail in the money laundering case is currently pending before the Supreme Court. He moved the top court against an order of the Madras High Court declining to grant him bail in the money laundering case.
Madras High Court earlier dismissed Balaji’s bail plea in money laundering case
The Madras High Court earlier dismissed Balaji’s bail plea in the money laundering case, saying that if he is released on bail in a case of this nature, it will send a wrong signal and it will be against larger public interest.
The High Court, while rejecting Balaji’s bail plea, had directed the trial court to dispose of the case against him within a time frame and to conduct the trial in the case on a day-to-day basis in accordance with the guidelines of the apex court.