Former Jharkhand CM Faces ED Probe, Remanded to Hotwar Jail
The arrest and subsequent jailing of Hemant Soren in a land scam case underline the intensified scrutiny on high-profile political figures by enforcement agencies.
RANCHI – Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was presented in the ED court on Thursday and subsequently remanded to Hotwar Jail, Ranchi.
The development follows the conclusion of his remand period, during which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took him into custody for interrogation related to a land scam in the Badgai area of Ranchi.
Advocate General Rajiv Ranjan confirmed that Soren has been sent to jail post the completion of his remand period.
Soren, also the working president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested on January 31, 2024, after a series of interrogations by the ED.
The arrest was a culmination of investigations into a money laundering case tied to the land scam, for which Soren received 10 summons.
ED’s persistent efforts included multiple remand periods for Soren, spanning from February 3-7, February 8-12, and a final stint from February 13-15, before his court presentation.
The enforcement agency had issued its 10th summons for Soren, demanding his cooperation for questioning between January 29 and 31, which he failed to respond to in time, leading to his arrest after a lengthy interrogation session.
Before his arrest, an ED team raided Soren’s Delhi residence on January 29, although he was absent. Security at his Ranchi residence was heightened in anticipation of the ED’s questioning.
Soren, who had traveled to Delhi on the night of January 27, returned to Ranchi on January 30 to participate in Martyrdom Day commemorations before his arrest the following day.
The former Chief Minister’s legal troubles signify a notable moment in Jharkhand’s political landscape, with the ED’s rigorous investigation spotlighting the enforcement of accountability and transparency in public office.
