The case against Balaji stemmed from alleged irregularities in the appointment of bus conductors in the State transport department, as well as the appointment of drivers and junior engineers.
All of these appointments were made during Balaji’s tenure as the Transport Minister in the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government between 2011 and 2015. Balaji had later joined the DMK in 2018.
Following his remand by a sessions court, Balaji was placed under judicial custody. However, instead of being sent to prison, he was eventually transferred to a private hospital where he underwent bypass surgery.
Meanwhile, his wife filed a habeas corpus petition before the High Court seeking his release. After a division bench of the High Court delivered a split verdict on this plea, a third judge was appointed to decide on the matter.
Justice Kartikeyan, the tie-breaker judge, concluded that Balaji’s arrest by the ED was legal. Therefore, the High Court could not quash such an arrest to release the minister from custody, he held.
Justice Karthikeyan’s verdict against Balaji prompted the present appeal before the Supreme Court.
Source: Barandbench
