Latest news with #SenthilBalaji
Hindustan Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ex-TN Minister Senthil Balaji urges SC to expunge remarks in 2022 order
New Delhi, Former Tamil Nadu minister Senthil Balaji has urged the Supreme Court to expunge certain remarks in its September 2022 order restoring criminal complaints against him in the cash-for-job scam. Ex-TN Minister Senthil Balaji urges SC to expunge remarks in 2022 order On September 8, 2022, the top court set aside the Madras High Court order quashing complaints against the former minister on the basis of settlement between parties. The top court said there was evidence of corrupt practices to secure employment in the Transport Corporation during Balaji's tenure as minister in the Tamil Nadu government and set aside the high court's order saying that the court cannot deal with cases involving abuse of official position and adoption of corrupt practices, like suits for specific performance, where the refund of the money paid may also satisfy the agreement holder. Balaji said the observations made in the September 8, 2022 verdict could influence the trial court in the case and affect his right to fair trial. The top court observed in its 2022 verdict, "We are constrained to say that even a novice in criminal law would not have left the offences under the PC Act, out of the final report. The attempt of the IO appears to be of one 'willing to strike but afraid to wound'." It said the state ought to have undertaken a comprehensive investigation into the entire scam, without allowing the accused to fish out one case as if it was a private money dispute. Balaji contended the trial court was likely to be prejudiced since the top court made the observations against him and it would be a violation of his right to free and fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. On April 27, Balaji resigned from the M K Stalin-led state cabinet after being pulled up by the top court. The apex court on April 23 asked Balaji to make a choice "between post and freedom" as it warned him of cancelling bail if he did not step down as minister in Tamil Nadu. It took exception to the fact that Balaji was reinstated as a Tamil Nadu cabinet minister days after getting bail in a money laundering case related to the "cash-for-job" scam. On September 26, 2024, the top court granted bail to Balaji, who had spent over 15 months in jail and observed there was no possibility of the completion of trial in the near future. Balaji, 48, was sworn in as a minister by Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi on September 29, last year and was assigned the same key portfolios electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition and excise he held previously in the Stalin cabinet. Balaji, representing Karur assembly constituency, was arrested on June 14, 2023 in the case when he was the transport minister during the previous AIADMK regime between 2011 and 2015. On February 13, last year, the TN Governor accepted Balaji's resignation from the council of ministers. The top court's reprieve on September 26, 2024 ended Balaji's 471-day incarceration. The ED had filed a case of money laundering in July 2021 to probe the allegations after three FIRs were registered by the Tamil Nadu police in 2018 and on the basis of complaints by those aggrieved in the alleged scam. Its chargesheet claimed the entire recruitment process in the state transport department during his tenure as a minister was turned into a "corrupt chiefdom". This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Corruption in Tangedco bids: Tamil Nadu to take call on probe against Senthil Balaji soon
CHENNAI: A decision will soon be taken on whether a case will be registered by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corruption (DVAC) against former minister Senthil Balaji and others in an alleged scam pertaining to procurement of transformers by Tangedco (now trifurcated into three separate entities), Advocate General PS Raman informed the Madras High Court on Thursday. Raman made the submission before Justice P Velmurugan while hearing a writ petition filed by NGO Arappor Iyakkam seeking a direction to the DVAC to take cognisance of their complaint filed in July 2023 seeking registration of an FIR. In their petition, Arappor Iyakkam's managing trustee Jayaram Venkatesan said that their complaint alleged blatant corruption and gross irregularities in the procurement of distribution transformers by Tangedco at exorbitant rates which led to a loss of Rs 397 crore. The total value of 10 tenders for supply of 45,800 such transformers from 2021 to 2023 analysed by the NGO amounted to Rs 1,182 crore. In seven of the 10 tenders, there was clear evidence of unjust enrichment to contractors by cartelisation, intentional collusion, and formation of a syndicate amongst bidders and public servants, the NGO said. Instead of raising doubts regarding cartelisation and objecting to identical exorbitant prices quoted by the companies, Tangedco officials had turned a blind eye rendering the entire tender process redundant, it had alleged. Seeking presentation of detailed arguments on the matter, advocate V Suresh, counsel for Arappor Iyakkam, sought an adjournment. The judge accepted his request and adjourned the hearing.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Transformer tenders case: HC orders notice to Senthil Balaji
Chennai: Madras high court on Friday ordered the issuance of a fresh notice to former minister V Senthil Balaji on a public interest writ petition alleging a 397-crore scam in transformer procurement by Tangedco. Justice P Velmurugan ordered the fresh notice as the govt counsel informed the court that notices were already served to DVAC and other official respondents except Senthil Balaji. The court then adjourned the hearing to July 3. The issue pertains to a PIL moved by anti-corruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam. According to the NGO, 10 tenders worth 1,182.88 crore were floated for the procurement of 45,800 transformers between 2021 and 2023. A detailed review of the tender documents allegedly revealed that the contracts were structured in a way that benefited certain contractors, resulting in a loss of 397 crore to the state exchequer. In seven tenders, all the bidders from 25 to 37 quoted the same price, which contravenes the provisions of Tender Transparency Act, the NGO said. Instead of quashing the tender and calling for fresh bidding, TANGEDCO went ahead and awarded the contract, they said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villas For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Dubai villas | search ads Get Deals Undo The NGO further alleged that the tender for the procurement of 500kVA transformers was awarded at an inflated price of 12.49 lakh for each transformer, while the value of the transformer when floating the tender was just 7.89 lakh. It alleged that no case was registered so far, based on its complaint. Therefore, the petitioner wanted the court to order a probe into the allegations by a special investigative team formed under supervision of high court. They further alleged the involvement of former electricity minister Senthil Balaji in the scam, along with the then Tangedco chairman and managing director Rajesh Lakhoni. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
New Indian Express
30-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Senthil Balaji intensifies preparations in Western districts ahead of TN assembly election 2026
TIRUPPUR: Intensifying the preparations for the upcoming Assembly elections, DMK West Zone in-charge and former minister V Senthil Balaji met DMK functionaries in Tiruppur and instructed them to expedite the election duties, on Thursday. Sources said that Balaji, who was previously in charge of Karur and Coimbatore districts, has now been appointed as the in charge of West Zone districts by the DMK leadership. As a result, the charge of Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Erode, Namakkal and Karur districts for the elections have been handed over to Balaji, covering a total of 35 constituencies. In Tiruppur, Avinashi, Tiruppur North, Tiruppur South and Palladam constituencies are under Balaji, while Dharapuram, Kangeyam, Madathukulam and Udumalaipet constituencies have been assigned to Food and Civil Supplies Minister R Sakkarapani. Reportedly, Balaji is now holding secret consultations and meetings with DMK functionaries in the West Zone districts. Reporters have been barred from these meetings, and Balaji has also been avoiding press meets. On Thursday, Balaji met Tiruppur East and North district functionaries separately, gave suggestions, and also advised them to expedite election works. Speaking to TNIE, N Dinesh Kumar, district secretary of Tiruppur North, said, "This is purely an election-related consultation meeting. Senthil Balaji gave instructions to party functionaries to expedite election works." Reportedly, Balaji also issued instructions to quickly identify strong and weak polling booths and address them. "Balaji has instructed that all preparatory works be completed and ready by the end of January 2026, as the election date is likely to be announced by February," a DMK functionary said. Further, party functionaries said Balaji, who met party functionaries in Erode two days ago, instructed district secretaries to remove non-performing functionaries from their posts and appoint new active functionaries. In 2021, the AIADMK-led alliance won 44 out of 68 seats in 10 districts in the Kongu region. It won all 10 seats in Coimbatore district, and five of eight seats in Tiruppur. In Erode, the AIADMK alliance had won five of eight seats. "This will change in the upcoming Assembly election. Balaji is formulating strategies for this," said a senior DMK functionary.
New Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Senthil Balaji resigns, but continues to wield influence behind the scenes?
'Power' of politics Former electricity minister Senthil Balaji resigned after the Supreme Court's order, but there's chatter he's still in control behind the scenes. Just a few days ago, senior officials were spotted at his home, and the behind-closed-doors meet went on for quite a while. It raised eyebrows since he's no longer in power. No one knows what they discussed—other bureaucrats are clueless too! An insider mentioned it definitely wasn't just a casual visit. His phone is ringing off the hook, and files are allegedly still making their way to him. So, is he really done, or is he still calling the shots? — S Guruvanmikanathan The travails of X It's not every day you see civil servants flexing their literary muscles, but IAS officer VP Jayaseelan from Virudhunagar district did just that. On May 14, he shared a free-verse poem about his lifelong struggle with the mysterious 'X' in math, which has haunted him for years. He humorously reflected on everything from that tricky two-headed compass to dodging concepts like stock market investments and passive income. The best part? He finally found his true 'X' at a bus stand—the White Dog aka Memory, that relentlessly chases him. His poem prompted Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu to quip: 'X-ellent, sir!' — T Muruganandham Will the numbers keep coming? It looks like the TN Police are taking a page from the banking world by rolling out quarterly press releases on crime data. They shared this first batch of figures in late April, just as the Assembly was in session, which feels a bit too convenient, right? Interestingly, the stats show a drop in road accidents and crimes. It'll be curious to see if they keep this trend going in future quarters when the Assembly isn't in session. It's one thing to share numbers during budget talks; it's another to keep the accountability going when the spotlight isn't on them. — ENS No comments, please Once loud enough to crash the comments section, PMK's social media warriors have suddenly discovered the 'mute' button. Despite senior Ramadoss politely (read firmly) reminding that Anbumani is just a working president – not the full boss yet – Anbumani's online cheerleaders have treated their keypads as hot coal. The usual digital drumbeats have gone more conspicuously radio silent than a WhatsApp family group after someone mentions 'family photo'. Sources say as those who tried cheering both dad and son got caught in the crossfire — now everyone's playing safe, proving silence is the new strategy in family-run politics. —Kumaresan S (Compiled by Dinesh Jefferson E, Mary Catherene)
