Supreme Court declines ED’s plea to bar Senthilbalaji from holding any office till completion of trial

Mon Apr 28 12:33:55 UTC 2025: ## Supreme Court Rejects ED Plea to Bar Tamil Nadu Minister from Power

**NEW DELHI, April 28, 2025** – The Supreme Court of India today refused a plea by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to prevent Tamil Nadu Minister V. Senthilbalaji from holding any position of power while facing trial in a money-laundering case. The ED argued that Mr. Senthilbalaji, appointed Minister of Electricity, Prohibition and Excise in September 2024, could influence the trial. They expressed concern that he might regain a powerful position after the upcoming 2026 elections.

The court, however, found no merit in the ED’s apprehension, noting that Mr. Senthilbalaji’s resignation had been accepted by the Tamil Nadu Governor. The decision follows a previous Supreme Court order giving Mr. Senthilbalaji an ultimatum to choose between his ministerial post and his freedom. The court had previously granted him bail in the money-laundering case after 15 months in pre-trial detention.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, argued that Mr. Senthilbalaji’s presence in a position of power could jeopardize the trial, potentially leading to delays. He suggested a bar on Mr. Senthilbalaji holding any office until the trial’s conclusion. Conversely, Mr. Senthilbalaji’s lawyers countered that the predicate offenses trial, which involves over 2,200 accused and 500 witnesses, was still in its early stages, and that imposing a lengthy political ban would be unjust. They also pointed out that the money-laundering trial can only commence after the completion of the predicate offenses trial.

While the ED suggested various measures, including barring Mr. Senthilbalaji from Tamil Nadu during the trial, the Supreme Court deemed these unnecessary. The court indicated that if the ED had further concerns, they should file a separate application to revoke Mr. Senthilbalaji’s bail. The court’s decision concludes this particular legal challenge, leaving the money-laundering case and related investigations to proceed.

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