SC Faults TN for Naming 2,000 Accused in Jobs Scam
On July 29, 2025, the Supreme Court sharply criticized the Tamil Nadu government for implicating over 2,000 individuals in the alleged cash-for-jobs scam linked to former minister V. Senthil Balaji. The court described this as a deliberate attempt to delay the trial indefinitely—a “complete fraud on the judicial system.”
Allegations of Deliberate Delay
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi raised concerns that poor job-seekers, some coerced into paying bribes to secure employment, were being prosecuted alongside key accused. The court noted that the state’s strategy appeared to be prolonging the trial so that Balaji remains untried during his lifetime. “That is your modus operandi,” the bench remarked.
Questions Over State Strategy
The court demanded detailed information on alleged middlemen, state officials involved, members of selection panels, and those responsible for appointments. It ordered all related cases and petitions to be listed together for a comprehensive hearing.
Case Background and Legal Developments
V. Senthil Balaji, who served as Transport Minister between 2011–2015 under the AIADMK, was arrested in June 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with alleged recruitment corruption. He was granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024 after more than 15 months in custody. The bench had also asked him to choose between remaining a minister or retaining liberty. He resigned in April 2025 before being reinstated briefly.
Next Steps
The Supreme Court has scheduled a consolidated hearing of all petitions related to the trial on July 31. The court must evaluate whether the state’s approach undermines the integrity of the judicial process and ensure the trial moves forward without further delay.
