​The Supreme Court of India is scheduled to hear a petition today, April 25, 2025, challenging the consolidation of four separate chargesheets related to the alleged cash-for-jobs scam involving Tamil Nadu Minister V Senthil Balaji. The petition was filed by the Anti Corruption Movement, which argues that the decision to club these cases—pertaining to corrupt practices in the appointment of assistant engineers, junior tradesmen, conductors, and drivers—was improper and could delay the trial process. The trial court and the Madras High Court had previously approved the consolidation. The Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, has posted the case for hearing on May 9 and directed the petitioner to provide a copy of the petition to the state government’s counsel.

Separately, the Supreme Court had previously granted bail to Balaji in September 2024, noting that the trial was unlikely to commence soon and that he had already spent over a year in custody. However, shortly after his release, Balaji was reinstated as a cabinet minister in the Tamil Nadu government, raising concerns about potential witness tampering. The Enforcement Directorate subsequently approached the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of his bail on the grounds of influencing witnesses. The Court issued an ultimatum to Balaji, instructing him to decide by April 28 whether he wished to continue as a minister or remain on bail. The next hearing on this matter is scheduled for April 28.

Sources