Court extends former minister Senthil Balaji's custody till June 19

A sessions court on Monday extended till June 19 the remand of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthil Balaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on June 14, 2023 in a money laundering case. Principal Sessions Judge (PSJ) S Alli, before whom Balaji was produced by the prosecution through video-conferencing from the Central Puzhal Prison here, extended his judicial custody till June 19. The judge said she would pass orders on June 19 on a petition filed by Balaji seeking to discharge him from the case. Meanwhile, the judge dismissed three other petitions filed by Balaji. In one petition, he sought to defer the proceedings in the case till City Union Bank produces the original counter foils/challans used for making deposits in his account and in the account of his wife. In another petition, he sought a direction to City Union Bank, Karur to furnish the list of bank employees, more specifically the clerk, cashier and manager employed at City Union Bank, Karur for the period