ED Challenges Hemant Soren’s Bail in Supreme Court

Enforcement agency contests Jharkhand HC order in land acquisition case

The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s bail, arguing that the High Court erred in finding no prima facie evidence in the alleged money laundering case involving 8.36 acres of land.

RANCHI – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Supreme Court challenging the bail granted to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in an alleged money laundering case related to illegal possession of 8.36 acres of land.

The ED contends that the Jharkhand High Court’s bail order is illegal and that the court erred in stating there was no prima facie evidence against Soren.

This development comes shortly after Soren’s government proved its majority in the assembly.

Key events in the case:

– January 31, 2024: Soren arrested by ED

– June 28, 2024: Jharkhand High Court grants bail

– July 4, 2024: Soren takes oath as CM for the third time

During the bail hearing, Soren’s lawyers argued that the case was civil in nature, involving Bhuinhari land that cannot be legally transferred. They also claimed there was no element of money laundering involved.

The High Court, under Justice Rangan Mukhopadhyay, granted regular bail after hearing both sides on June 13.

Following his release, Soren claimed he was falsely implicated and forced to spend five months in jail.

The ED has filed a chargesheet against Soren on March 30 in the land scam case. However, the High Court noted in its decision that the agency failed to gather any evidence during the investigation.

In a related development, the ED has issued a fourth summons to land dealer Kamlesh Kumar for July 12 in connection with the Ranchi land scam.

Earlier raids on Kumar’s properties yielded ₹1 crore in cash and 100 cartridges.

This ongoing legal battle continues to be a focal point in Jharkhand’s political landscape, with potential implications for the state government’s stability.