Ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren transferred from jail for land scam inquiry to face ED questioning

Hemant Soren/ File pic

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren is scheduled to be questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after being detained for five days by the High Court in connection with an alleged land fraud case. Soren, who was arrested by the ED following multiple summonses and extensive questioning, will be transported to the ED headquarters from Birsa Munda jail, per the ANI report.

According to the report, amid political turbulence in Jharkhand, Champai Soren took the oath of office as the new Chief Minister, while Alamgir Alam of the Congress and Satyanand Bhokta of the RJD were sworn in as ministers in the Jharkhand Cabinet.

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The ED disclosed that it discovered over Rs 36 lakh in cash from Hemant Soren's possession, along with documents linked to an ongoing investigation into an alleged land acquisition through fraudulent means. The agency claimed that the former CM had acquired land parcels spanning 8.5 acres as part of criminal proceeds, the report added.

"Considering the facts and circumstances and taking into consideration the activities and processes of money laundering in which Soren is directly involved and is also a party with the said Bhanu Pratap and others, there are sufficient reasons to believe that Soren is guilty of the offence of money laundering as per section 3 of PMLA 2002," the agency stated, per ANI report.

According to the report, Soren, who moved the Supreme Court against his arrest, had his plea rejected by the court. The court advised him to approach the concerned High Court with his petition. The top court said, "We are not inclined to entertain the present petition." The top court also said that it is open for the petitioner to urge the high court to expeditiously decide the case, the court stated.

Soren challenged the ED's summons as illegal and void, accusing the agency of constant harassment and misuse of authority. The probe revolves around the alleged forging of official records to acquire valuable land through fake sellers and purchasers, using forged or bogus documents, the ANI report added.

It further stated that the JMM leader claimed that he has been subjected to continual harassment by the ED, accusing the investigation agency of abusing its authority and powers on the orders of its political superiors.

The investigation focuses on the money obtained through the alleged falsification of official records. This entails presenting 'fake sellers' and buyers with fraudulent or falsified documentation to obtain vast parcels of land worth millions, the report stated.

With ANI inputs