‘Even AI-generated accused may appear’: SC slams TN govt over 2,000 accused in Senthil Balaji case

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday sharply criticised the Tamil Nadu government for implicating more than 2,000 individuals in the cash-for-jobs scam involving former state minister V Senthil Balaji, calling the trial a “rudderless ship” and seeking complete details of all the accused and witnesses.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi expressed strong disapproval, observing that if the judiciary had not intervened, the “reluctant state” would have preferred to “give a decent burial” to the cases connected with the former minister.

“Will be the most populated trial of India”

Commenting on the scale of the case, the bench said, “With over 2,000 accused and 500 witnesses, it will be the most populated trial of India. A small courtroom of the trial court will not suffice and a cricket stadium will be needed to even mark the presence of the accused. Several Artificial Intelligence-generated accused will pop up to mark their presence.”

This remark was made to senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing on behalf of Y Balaji, who represents the victims and opposes the state’s decision to club the cases.

Concerns over public prosecution

On the issue of appointing a special public prosecutor, the bench addressed senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, representing the Tamil Nadu government. It stated that when powerful ministers and influential individuals are involved, there is a perception that a single public prosecutor may not be able to do justice.

Court accuses state of delaying trial

On Tuesday, the apex court had already expressed displeasure with the Tamil Nadu government for allegedly attempting to delay the trial by implicating over 2,000 individuals in the scam. The bench described the move as a “complete fraud on the judicial system.”

Senthil Balaji’s resignation and reinstatement

Senthil Balaji resigned from the M K Stalin-led Cabinet on 27 April after being pulled up by the top court. Earlier, on 23 April, the court had asked Balaji to choose “between post and freedom”, warning that his bail would be cancelled if he did not step down.

The court also took exception to Balaji’s reinstatement in the Tamil Nadu Cabinet just days after he secured bail in the money-laundering case linked to the cash-for-jobs scam.

On 26 September 2024, the Supreme Court granted Balaji bail in a case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). With Balaji having spent over 15 months in jail, the top court observed that there was no possibility of the trial being concluded in the near future.

Return to Cabinet with key portfolios

Balaji, aged 48, was sworn in again as a minister on 29 September last year. He was reassigned the same significant portfolios he had previously held in the Stalin Cabinet; electricity, non-conventional energy development, prohibition, and excise.

(PTI inputs)