Latest news with #Senthilbalaji
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Cancel appointments made during Senthilbalaji's tenure as Transport Minister in 2014, Madras High Court urged
Close on the heels of V. Senthilbalaji resigning from the State Cabinet on Sunday (April 27, 2025), the Tamil Nadu government is facing yet another court case, seeking the cancellation of all alleged illegal appointments made by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai during his tenure as Transport Minister in Jayalalithaa's Cabinet in 2014. A Division Bench of Justices R. Subramanian and G. Arul Murugan would hear on Monday (April 28, 2025) a batch of writ appeals filed by unsuccessful candidates to set aside the appointments made to the posts of Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer in the MTC in 2015, on the basis of the 2014 recruitment notification, and instead consider them for those posts. According to the appellants before the Division Bench, all of them were either degree or diploma-holders in the relevant engineering disciplines and had also undergone one-year apprenticeship under the recognised workshops of the State Transport Corporations, thereby qualifying them to be appointed as Junior Engineers/Assistant Engineers in the MTC. When the MTC issued a recruitment notification on November 2, 2014, calling for applications for the posts of Junior Engineer and Assistant Engineer, the appellants had participated in the recruitment process but did not find their names in the final selection list released in 2015. They did not raise any objection then, presuming that the selection was done fairly, though 33 appointments were made for the post of Junior Engineer, despite only 13 vacancies having been notified. However, much later, they came to know about the job racket wing of the Chennai Central Crime Branch (CCB) police having registered a First Information Report (FIR) in 2015 against various individuals over alleged irregularities in the entire appointment process. During the course of the investigation, some of the appellants were also summoned by the police for inquiry. It was only when the police showed the marks obtained by the selected candidates to them during the course of the inquiry, the appellants learnt about the manipulation of the mark list and therefore, chose to file a batch of writ petitions before the High Court in 2021 to nullify the entire selection list and seeking a direction to MTC to prepare a fresh list by considering their names too. The CCB filed a counter affidavit to the writ petitions in 2021 itself confirming that it had even filed a chargesheet before a special court for MP/MLA cases in Chennai and that the case was pending trial. However, when the writ petitions were taken up for final hearing in 2024, the MTC opposed the plea made by the writ petitioners to upset the entire selection list. The corporation stated that the criminal proceedings were yet to be concluded and hence, the appointments made in 2015 could not be set aside by the court in 2024 merely on the basis of the petitioners' averments in their affidavits. It also said, the petitioners' plea suffered from laches since the 2015 appointments had been challenged only in 2021 after a delay of six years. Some of the candidates, who were selected in 2015, told the court that their employment in the MTC for nearly 10 years could not be disturbed all of sudden solely because of the pending criminal case. On the other hand, the writ petitioners urged the court to reject the contentions of MTC and the selected candidates and instead issue a direction to MTC to also pay compensation for having denied public jobs to the petitioners since 2015. After hearing all of them, Justice Vivek Kumar Singh disposed of all the writ petitions on December 13, 2024, with a direction to MTC to consider the grievances ventilated by the petitioners. Aggrieved over such an order, the petitioners had filed the present writ appeals contending that the single judge ought to have granted the relief they sought for and not relegated them to MTC.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Two Tamil Nadu Ministers quit on strong court remarks
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday (April 27, 2025) night after courts made strong remarks against them. This is the second time Mr. Senthilbalaji stepped down as a Minister, as the Supreme Court made it clear that he had to make a choice between his ministerial post and freedom. He continued as a Minister without portfolio after his arrest in June 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, but resigned from the Cabinet on February 12, 2024. He was reinstated after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case on September 26, 2024. A Supreme Court Bench took objection to Mr. Senthilbalaji's induction into the Cabinet, and Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan on April 23 said that his continuation as a Minister placed him in a position of influence with regard to witnesses, and he could derail the trial. Justice Oka remarked that the Bench would even record in its order that it had been a 'mistake' to grant him bail and observed that he had been given bail not on the merits of the case but because the court stood up for the fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. For Mr. Ponmudy, the Madras High Court directed its Registry to take up a suo motu writ petition for a derogatory speech by him against Saivites, Vaishnavites and women in general. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh issued the direction after observing that the Minister had prima facie misused the liberty granted to him by the Supreme Court which had stayed his conviction as well as sentence in a corruption case. Following this, the first Bench of the Madras High Court granted time till June 5 for the Tamil Nadu government as well as Mr. Ponmudy, in his individual capacity, to respond to a public interest litigation petition filed by an advocate to disqualify the Minister from holding any constitutional post due to his recent derogatory speech. A Raj Bhavan release said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has recommended Governor R.N. Ravi to accept their resignation. The Chief Minister also recommended the induction of former Minister Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet. The swearing-in will be held on April 28. The Hindu's Editorials The Hindu's Daily Quiz Rana Sangha was the king of which Rajput clan? Bhati Mewar Kachwaha Rathore To know the answer and to play the full quiz, click here.
The Hindu
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
The Hindu Morning Digest: April 28, 2025
Senthilbalaji, Ponmudy resign as Tamil Nadu Ministers after strong remarks from courts Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday (April 27, 2025) night. A Raj Bhavan release said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has recommended Governor R.N. Ravi to accept their resignation. The Chief Minister also recommended the induction of former Minister Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet. The swearing-in will be held on April 28 at the Raj Bhavan. Skirmishes continue at LoC as India weighs response to Pahalgam attack Ceasefire violations by Pakistan troops continued along the Line of Control (LoC) for the third night in a row on Saturday (April 26, 2025), while the Indian Navy and the Air Force held exercises on Sunday (April 27, 2025) as tensions run high after the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistan began massive mobilisation of equipment close to the LoC, while the Indian Navy carried out multiple anti-ship firings for long-range precision 'offensive strike.' Pahalgam terror attack: Opposition parties may seek special session of Parliament The Opposition parties are mulling on whether they should issue a joint appeal asking the government to convene a special session of Parliament in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 persons were killed on April 22. Independent Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal reiterated his appeal to all political parties to urge the government to convene a special session. The Congress is reaching out to other allies in the INDIA bloc to frame a consensus. 'It is under consideration,' a senior Congress leader said. Pakistan, China resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, oppose unilateralism Pakistan and China on Sunday reiterated their firm resolve to uphold regional peace and stability, promote mutual respect and understanding, and jointly oppose unilateralism and hegemonic policies. The understanding was reached during a telephone conversation between Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi, reported Radio Pakistan. During the conversation, Mr. Dar, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, briefed the Chinese foreign minister on the current regional situation in the region after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday in which 26 people were killed. IPL 2025 DC vs RCB | Krunal's heroics propel Royal Challengers Bengaluru to the top Before Sunday (April 27, 2025), Krunal Pandya had batted in just four of nine matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in this year's IPL and scored 24 runs off 28 balls. He made up for his lack of runs and batting opportunities in the earlier matches by coming to the fore against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Chasing 163, the all-rounder's unbeaten 73 off 47 balls delivered a critical six-wicket win for the visitor. It stretches RCB's perfect away record this year to six wins out of six. Govt. brings cybercrime centre I4C under PMLA The government has authorised Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) to share and receive information from the Enforcement Directorate under the anti-money laundering law, a move aimed at detecting money trail and combating cyber frauds. In a notification dated April 25, the Revenue Department under the Finance Ministry included I4C under Section 66 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu calls for 'dismantling' Iran's nuclear infrastructure Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called on Sunday for the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear programme, insisting that any deal with Tehran must also address its ballistic missile capabilities. 'You have to dismantle their nuclear infrastructure and that means ... they will not have the capacity to enrich uranium,' he said in a speech in Jerusalem, adding that any deal should also 'bring in the prevention of ballistic missiles'. All hands on deck as redeveloped Chandni Chowk rapidly loses lustre The 1.3-km-long redeveloped stretch between Red Fort and Fatehpuri Masjid in Chandni Chowk is back to its old ways. It is crowded and unkempt, with garbage littering the red sandstone road and betel stains on the pavements. Inaugurated with much fanfare in September 2021 by then Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the stretch, a traffic-free zone, consisted of a wide footpath, public toilets, water ATMs, ramps for persons with disabilities, decorative lights, benches, and multilingual signage. The Shahjahanabad Redevelopment Corporation (SRDC), the nodal agency for the redevelopment of the historic town, carried out the beautification, at a cost of around ₹100 crore. Bihar election: Eye on votes, Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal takes part in Dalit Mahapanchayat Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Bihar Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Dilip Jaiswal along with Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary jointly attacked Congress party alleging that party did not do anything for the upliftment of the Dalits. They all had gathered to address people during 'Dalit Mahapanchayat' organised by 'Bihar Ravidas Vikas Sangh Parivar' at Miller High School ground in Patna on Sunday (April 27, 2025) to honour Baba Saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. Religious hate has no place in France, says Macron after man killed in mosque There can never be a place for racism and hate in France, President Emmanuel Macron said on Sunday (April 27, 2025) after the brutal stabbing to death of a man in a mosque in the south of the country. 'Racism and hatred based on religion can have no place in France. Freedom of worship cannot be violated,' Mr. Macron wrote on X in his first comments on Friday's killing, extending his support to 'our fellow Muslim citizens'. Murshidabad riots not spontaneous, says fact finding team; demands judicial inquiry The riots in Murshidabad were not spontaneous and houses and shops of both the communities – Hindus and Muslims were attacked, said a fact-finding report by five civil rights organisations on the violence. The team in its interim report has sought for immediate and independent judicial investigation into all incidents since April 11. 'The unrest was a clear failure of law and order. Police, administration could have prevented it, if they wanted. Their indifference and inaction allowed this violence to spread, fanning communal unrest,' said a press statement by the organisation.
United News of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Facing serious indiction from courts, TN Ministers Senthilbalaji, Ponmudy quits Cabinet, Mano Thangaraj re-inducted
Chennai, Apr 27 (UNI) As was widely expected, senior Tamil Nadu Ministers V Senthilbalaji and K Ponmudy, who were severely indicted by the courts on case of corruption and impropriety/hate speech respectively, resigned, even as former Minister T Mano Thangaraj was re-instated into the Tamil Nadu Cabinet, on Sunday night. The resignations of the two Ministers and the re-induction of Mr Mano Thangaraj were accepted by Governor R N Ravi on recommendations from Chief Minister M K Stalin, a Raj Bhavan comunique said. The portfolios Electricity, Prohibition and Excise held by the Mr Senthilbalaji and the Department of Forests and Khadi held by Mr Ponmudy, whose continuance has caused great embarrassment, besides immense political and legal pressure on the ruling DMK in the wake of recent developments against them, were allotted to three Ministers with additional responsibilities. The swearing-in ceremony of Mr Thangaraj would take place at Raj Bhavan tomorrow evening. This was for the second time Senthilbalaji, the Karur strongman of the DMK, who is also in the dock after the recent ED raids had unearthed a Rs 1,000 crore scam, apart from the Supreme Court's indictment making his continuance untenable, and Ponmudy, considered the party's Villuppuram heavyweight, have resigned from their Ministerial posts. After getting reprieves from the courts, both of them were re-inducted into the Cabinet only last year after Mr Senthilbalaji had resigned as Minister without portfolio and Mr Ponmudy had quit as he faced diqualification following his conviction in a corruption case . Mr Senthilbalaji, who was re-inducted into the Cabinet with the same portfolios of Electricity, Prohibition and Excise, was given an ultimatum by the Supreme Court till Monday (tomorrow) to decide on whether he favoured the Minister post or bail after he was arrested under PMLA in the cash for jobs scam in June 23, while Mr Ponmudy--the former Higher Education Minister-- was facing suo motu proceedings initiated by the Madras High Court for his recent derogatory and uncivilised remarks against women linking to Hindu religion and after the police did not register FIR against him despite the court orders issued a couple of days back. This resulted in strong condemnation from Opposition parties, following which he was removed from the post of DMK Deputy General Secretary by Mr Stalin himself a few days back. The communique said Transport Minister S S Sivasankar was given the additional portfolio of Electricity held by Mr Senthilbalaji, who was strongly indicted by the Apex Court for becoming Minister within two days after his release on bail by Supreme Court after his arrest by ED in a PMLA case in June 2023. He was designated as Minister for Transport and Electricity. The other portfolio of Prohibition and Excise held by Mr Senthilbalaji was additionally allotted to Housing and Urban Development Minister S Muthusamy (who had held it earlier, when Mr Balaji resigned in February last year after being pulled by the Apex Court for remaining as Minister without portfolio despite his arrest in a PMLA case) and he was designated as Minister for Housing and Prohibition and Excise. The portfolios of Forests and Khadi held by Ponmudy was additionally allotted to Milk and Dairy Development Minister who was designated as Minister for Forests and Khadi. Mr Mano Thangaraj would get the same portfolios of Milk and Dairy Development earlier held by him after being sworn in for the second time tomorrow. (ED : PICK UP SUITABLY FROM EARLIER SERIES). UNI GV 2140
The Hindu
27-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Senthilbalaji, Ponmudy resign as Tamil Nadu Ministers after strong remarks from courts
Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K. Ponmudy and Electricity, Prohibition and Excise Minister V. Senthilbalaji resigned on Sunday (April 27, 2025) night. A Raj Bhavan release said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has recommended Governor R.N. Ravi to accept their resignation. The Chief Minister also recommended the induction of former Minister Mano Thangaraj into the Cabinet. The swearing-in will be held on April 28 at the Raj Bhavan. Also Read | Supreme Court takes stern view of reinstating Senthilbalaji as Tamil Nadu Cabinet Minister In the wake of their resignations, Mr. Ponmudy's department has been allotted to Milk and Dairy Development Minister R.S. Rajakannappan. Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar will hold the portfolio of Electricity, while Housing and Urban Development Minister S. Muthusamy will hold Prohibition and Excise departments held by Mr. Senthilbalaji. The continuation of Mr. Ponmudy and Mr. Senthibalaji became untenable after courts made strong remarks against them. In the case of Mr. Senthilbalaji, the Supreme Court made it clear that he had to make a choice between his Minister post and freedom. This is the second time he is stepping down as a Minister. Though he continued as a Minister without portfolio after his arrest in June 2023 by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, he resigned from the Cabinet on February 12, 2024. He was reinstated after the Supreme Court granted him bail in the case on September 26, 2024. But a Supreme Court Bench took objection to his induction into the Cabinet and Justices A.S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan on April 23 said Mr. Senthilbalaji's continuation as a Minister placed him in a position of influence with regard to witnesses, and he could derail the trial. Justice Oka remarked that the Bench would even record in its order that it had been a 'mistake' to grant him bail and observed that he had been given bail not on the merits of the case but because the court stood up for the fundamental right to personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution. Derogatory speech Mr. Ponmudy ran into trouble after the Madras High Court directed its Registry to take up a suo motu writ petition with respect to a derogatory speech by him against Saivites, Vaishnavites and women in general. Justice N. Anand Venkatesh issued the direction after observing that the Minister had prima facie misused the liberty granted to him by the Supreme Court which had stayed his conviction as well as sentence in a corruption case. Subsequently, the first Bench of the Madras High Court granted time till June 5 for the Tamil Nadu government as well as Mr. Ponmudy, in his individual capacity, to respond to a public interest litigation petition filed by an advocate to disqualify the Minister from holding any constitutional post due to his recent derogatory speech. Chief Justice K.R. Shriram and Justice Mohammed Shaffiq directed State Government Pleader to take notice on behalf of the Home Secretary and ordered notice to Mr. Ponmudy too seeking their response to the case by June 5. The judges directed the High Court Registry to list the matter again on June 19 for further hearing.
