Tamil Nadu minister’s dismissal decision put on hold: Governor had ordered Senthil Balaji’s removal, now Attorney General’s advice will be taken

This picture is from 13 June. After the arrest of ED, Senthil Balaji started crying due to chest pain.

The decision to remove Senthil Balaji, a minister in the Tamil Nadu government, has been put on hold. Governor RN Ravi had ordered the sacking of jailed V Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect. Now the final decision will be taken after the advice of the Attorney General.

Senthil is facing corruption charges. Senthil was arrested by the ED on 14 June. According to information, the governor did not even consult CM MK Stalin to sack Senthil.

Why did the governor change the decision
The Governor has changed his decision after the advice of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Till the legal opinion of the Attorney General is not received on this matter, Senthil will not be sacked from the cabinet. Meanwhile, Stalin said that we will challenge the Governor’s decision in the court. The governor does not have the right to dismiss the minister.

Senthil is currently in jail
In a press release issued from the Raj Bhavan, it has been said that Minister V Senthil Balaji is facing criminal cases in several serious cases of corruption including taking money for jobs and money laundering. Misusing his position as a minister, he is obstructing the investigation and obstructing the course of law. Senthil is currently lodged in jail under judicial custody.

Police investigation is going on against him in some other criminal cases under Anti Corruption Act and IPC. There are reasonable apprehensions that the continuance of V Senthil Balaji in the Council of Ministers would prejudice the process of law including fair investigation. This can break the constitutional system in the state.

Under these circumstances, the Governor has dismissed Senthil Balaji from the Council of Ministers with immediate effect.

Press release issued from Raj Bhavan

DMK leader said- Who is the governor, does he have constitutional rights?
DMK leader Saravanan Annadurai said in Chennai that who is the Governor to sack Senthil Balaji, does he have the constitutional right? He is working according to Sanatan Dharma but Sanatan Dharma is not the law of our country. Our constitution is our Bible, Gita, Quran. We request them to read the constitution properly. He does not have authority, he is working in such a manner to please his masters.

Balaji arrested in cash for jobs case

This is a picture taken on the morning of June 13, when Minister Senthil was taken into custody by the ED.

This case is related to giving money in lieu of job in the state transport department. Balaji was the Transport Minister in the AIADMK regime during 2011-16. After this scam came to the fore, the police started investigation. A charge sheet was filed against Balaji and 46 others. In this, along with the minister, many senior officers of the transport corporations were nominated.

The matter later reached the ED. ED sent summons to Balaji. But the minister moved the court against it. But the Supreme Court rejected his petition. Last month, the Supreme Court had allowed the police and ED to investigate against him. Read full news…