Chennai/IBNS/UNI: The Principal Sessions Court Tuesday extended the judicial remand of former Tamil Nadu Minister V.Senthilbalaji, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case last year, till March 4.

D.V. Anand, III Additional Sessions Judge, who is in charge of the Principal Sessions Court, while extending his remand, ordered the issuance of notice to the ED to file its response on a plea filed by the former Minister and DMK MLA seeking to discharge him from the case.

On the expiry of his remand, Senthilbalaji was produced before the court via video-conferencing from Puzhal Central prison, when his remand was extended for the 22nd time till March 4.

He was arrested by the ED last year in connection with a money laundering case in connection with the cash-for-jobs scam case during his tenure as Transport Minister in the previous AIADMK regime (2011-2015).

He recently filed a petition seeking discharge from the case, even as his second bail plea was pending before the Madras High Court after the trial court dismissed it thrice.

Senthilbalaji, who had remained as a Minister without portfolio after his arrest, resigned from the State Cabinet on Feb 12 this year, ahead of his bail hearing at the Madras High Court, which was subsequently adjourned for further hearing.