New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (April 28) was informed that DMK leader V Senthil Balaji has resigned from the Tamil Nadu cabinet.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih, which was hearing a plea seeking to recall bail granted to the DMK leader, disposed of the pleas taking note of the resignation of Balaji from the ministerial post.
Now there is no occasion to entertain this plea: Apex Court
The bench said now there is no occasion to entertain this plea after a press release was handed over to the bench recording that Balaji has tendered his resignation from the Tamil Nadu cabinet which has been accepted by the Tamil Nadu governor.
“A press release is handed over to us which records that he has tendered his resignation which has been accepted by the honourable Governor. Therefore, now there is no occasion to entertain this application,” the top court bench said.
Apex Court refused to accept ED’s plea to bar Balaji from holding post till trial is over
The bench, however, refused to accept the plea of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to bar Balaji from holding the post till trial in the case was over.
Apex Court earlier warned Balaji of cancelling his bail if he did not step down
The apex court had last week on April 23, while taking exception to Balaji being reinstated as a minister in the Tamil Nadu cabinet soon after grant of bail in “cash-for-job” scam, had warned him of cancelling his bail if he did not step down from the post of minister and had told him to choose between the post of minister and freedom.
“There is grave apprehension that you (Balaji) will interfere and will influence witnesses. You have to make a choice between the post and freedom. What choice you want to make, you tell us,” the top court had told the counsel representing Balaji while fixing the matter for hearing on April 28.
Apex Court granted bail to Balaji on September 26 last year in a money laundering case
The top court had on September 26 last year granted bail to the DMK leader in the cash-for-jobs-linked money laundering case after over 15 months in jail, observing that there was no possibility of completion of the trial in the near future.
The bail was, however, not granted to Balaji on merits and the top court proceeded on the footing that he was no longer a minister and the top court had not considered a judgment against him in which it was recorded his role in the predicate offences while he was minister in the Tamil Nadu government.
Balaji was sworn in as minister on September 29 last year
Balaji was sworn in as a cabinet minister in the state government of Tamil Nadu on September 29 last year following grant of bail by the apex court and his release from the jail.
