Hemant Soren Likely to Defy ED’s Ninth Summons

Jharkhand CM Responds to ED, May Delay Summon Compliance

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren defies Enforcement Directorate’s ninth summon, promising to communicate availability in due course, amidst allegations of money laundering in a land scam case.

RANCHI – Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has responded to the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) ninth summon, indicating a delay in his compliance.

A special messenger from the Chief Minister’s office delivered a sealed letter to the ED zonal office in Ranchi on Thursday.

The letter stated Soren’s intention to communicate his availability for the summon in due time.

This response follows the ED’s interrogation of Soren at his residence last Saturday, where the possibility of further cooperation was discussed.

The Chief Minister, busy until March 31, is embroiled in a land scam case allegedly involving money laundering.

The ED had summoned Soren again, just two days after the lengthy interrogation session.

In the letter, Soren was given the choice to answer ED’s queries either at his official residence on Kanke Road or at the ED office on Hinoo Road in Ranchi.

During the seven-hour interrogation on Saturday, ED officials questioned Soren in a separate closed room at his residence.

Previously, Soren had criticized the ED’s probe as ‘baseless and biased’ in response to their seventh summon.

Post-interrogation, Soren addressed his supporters, claiming the investigation was a BJP-led conspiracy against his government.

He expressed his determination to resist and continue working for the state’s development, even amidst political challenges.

Soren’s defiance and strong rhetoric signal a tense standoff between the Jharkhand government and the federal agency.