The judicial custody of former Tamil Nadu minister V Senthibalaji has been extended by an additional period by an sessions court in Chennai in connection with a prevention of money laundering (PMLA) case related to a job racket.

Senthibalaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on June 14 at his residence in Chennai, appeared before the principal sessions judge S Alli via video conference from Puzhal Central prison. The judge, recording his appearance, extended his judicial custody until March 22.

The former minister was arrested under PMLA for his alleged involvement in a cash-for-jobs scam during his tenure as Transport Minister in the AIADMK regime. The investigation agency registered the case against him, leading to his arrest and subsequent judicial custody.

After his arrest, Senthibalaji underwent major surgery for coronary artery blockage and was later transferred to Puzhal prison. Despite his health condition, he was produced before the sessions court in Chennai on August 12, where the ED submitted a charge sheet consisting of about 200 pages and 3000 pages of documents related to the investigation, all presented in a sealed cover.

Notably, the Madras High Court had previously dismissed Senthibalaji’s bail plea on two occasions, directing the lower court to expedite the trial in the PMLA case within three months.