Published May 19, 2026 | 9:14 AM ⚊ Updated May 19, 2026 | 9:14 AM
ED alleges that Balaji "misused" his office for illegal gratification and "engineered" a job racket scam in the state transport undertakings during 2014-15. (Supplied)
Synopsis: The Enforcement Directorate has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Sai Kumar seeking the state government’s sanction to prosecute and proceed legally against Senthil Balaji and others. In a communication sent to the Governor in October 2025, the then Chief Secretary had stated that only the state government was the competent authority to grant sanction for prosecuting a public servant.
In a fresh development in the cash-for-jobs scam case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Sai Kumar seeking the state government’s sanction to prosecute and proceed legally against former minister Senthil Balaji and others.
The case pertains to allegations that money was illegally collected from several people on the promise of securing jobs in the Transport Department, while Balaji was the transport minister.
This is the second time the ED has sought such permission. Around seven months ago, the then DMK government had reportedly denied permission to investigate Senthil Balaji in the same case. The ED has now renewed its request.
According to sources, the ED’s latest three-page letter was sent on 15 May. Earlier, on 14 May 2025, the ED had written to the then Governor seeking sanction in the matter. However, following instructions from the state government, that letter was returned on 23 February.
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In a communication sent to the Governor in October 2025, the then Chief Secretary had stated that only the state government was the competent authority to grant sanction for prosecuting a public servant. Hence, the ED should have approached the Chief Secretary directly instead of writing to the Governor.
Based on this clarification, the ED has now submitted a fresh request directly to the Chief Secretary. Along with the letter, the agency has reportedly enclosed a pen drive containing supporting evidence, confidential inquiry notes, and copies of complaints related to the case.
The Chief Secretary’s office has acknowledged receipt of the communication.
The allegations relate to the 2011–2016 AIADMK regime, when Senthil Balaji served as transport minister. He has been accused of illegally collecting money from job aspirants by promising appointments in the Transport Department.
Based on these allegations, the ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Senthil Balaji, his brother Ashok Kumar, and his aides P Shanmugam and M Karthikeyan.
In June 2023, Senthil Balaji was arrested by the ED in connection with the case. He was later granted bail by the Supreme Court in September 2024 and subsequently released.
Although the ED has already filed a chargesheet before a special court in Chennai, the trial has not commenced yet as sanction from the state government is still pending, since Balaji was a minister during the period when the alleged offences took place.
With the ED now directly approaching the Chief Secretary, attention has turned to what course of action the Tamil Nadu government will take.
The development has also gained political significance as Chief Minister Vijay is expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi on 22 May. Against this backdrop, the ED’s latest communication to the Chief Secretary has drawn considerable attention.
(With inputs from Subash Chandra Bose.)
