Overview

• Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi said the application to expunge April observations was misconceived and permitted V. Senthil Balaji to withdraw it.
• The bench clarified it has not barred him from holding office, but cautioned that bail will be recalled if he becomes a minister and is found to influence witnesses.
• An April bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka had orally told Balaji to choose between his post and freedom, after which he resigned to avoid cancellation of bail.
• The Solicitor General questioned the timing of the expunction bid filed after Justice Oka’s retirement, a concern the bench also raised from the outset.
• The court issued notice on a request to shift the money-laundering trial outside Tamil Nadu and floated Delhi as a possible venue, though the prosecution opposed a transfer.