In an unexpected turn in Jharkhand politics, Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha's (JMM) executive president and ex-Chief Minister, has approached the Supreme Court to contest his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case. Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, will evaluate his plea on February 2.
Soren, initially represented by lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi, filed a petition in the Jharkhand High Court after his arrest, but he now intends to withdraw it before the apex court. The hearing was slated in the Jharkhand High Court but has been transferred to the Supreme Court.
The arrest followed Soren's resignation as the JMM's executive president and Jharkhand Chief Minister, submitted to Governor CP Radhakrishnan. Consequently, the party appointed state Transport minister Champai Soren as his successor.
In a pre-arrest video message, Hemant Soren accused the ED of orchestrating his arrest without evidence in the money laundering case. He vehemently denied any involvement in the charges, stating, “I will not bow down… Ultimately, truth will prevail.”
The ED's move to arrest Soren stemmed from his repeated refusals to cooperate during questioning, marking the ninth summons issued by the agency. Inquiries pertained to an alleged money laundering case, focusing on the illicit sale and purchase of land in Ranchi.
During a Delhi residence raid, the ED reportedly seized Rs 36 lakh in cash and a BMW car. Soren disowned the car, asserting no possession of illicit cash. In response, an FIR was lodged against ED officials under the SC/ST Act, based on Soren's complaint.
This development complicates Jharkhand politics, with Soren's legal battle unfolding in the Supreme Court and his successor taking charge amidst allegations and denials. The court proceedings' outcome will undoubtedly shape the state's political landscape.
(Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Supreme Court, Enforcement Directorate (ED), Money laundering, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Kapil Sibal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Jharkhand High Court, Resignation, Governor CP Radhakrishnan, Champai Soren, Illegal mining, Ranchi, IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, Delhi residence raid, Rs 36 lakh, BMW car, FIR, SC/ST Act, Political turmoil, Legal battle, State Transport minister, Pre-arrest video message.)
