Supreme Court Seeks ED’s Response on Hemant Soren’s Interim Bail Plea in Money Laundering Case

The Supreme Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to submit its response to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s interim bail plea in connection with a money laundering case. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta issued a notice to the ED, setting a deadline of May 6 for their reply. The court also acknowledged the pending verdict from the Jharkhand High Court on Soren’s plea challenging his arrest, which has been reserved since February 28.

Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Arunabh Chowdhury, representing Soren, indicated their intention to seek interim bail in the case. Soren approached the Supreme Court on April 24, citing the delay in the high court’s verdict on his plea challenging his arrest.

Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 in connection with the money laundering case, shortly after resigning as the Jharkhand chief minister. His resignation paved the way for the appointment of party loyalist and state transport minister Champai Soren as his successor. Soren’s arrest followed a seven-hour interrogation by the ED regarding the alleged illegal acquisition of an 8.86-acre plot of land in Ranchi.

The investigation against Soren revolves around allegations of manipulating official records to acquire valuable land parcels through forged or bogus documents. Multiple FIRs registered by the Jharkhand Police in land scam cases, involving state government officials and others, have led to the money laundering probe by the ED.

The ED’s scrutiny focuses on uncovering the purported “proceeds of crime” generated through the fraudulent acquisition of land, with allegations of using dummy sellers and purchasers to manipulate records. The investigation aims to expose the intricate web of illicit transactions and fraudulent practices that have reportedly resulted in significant financial gains.

As the legal proceedings unfold, Soren’s plea for interim bail adds a new dimension to the ongoing case, highlighting the urgency and significance of addressing his concerns regarding prolonged detention. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the stage is set for a comprehensive examination of the legal merits and procedural aspects surrounding Soren’s arrest and the subsequent money laundering allegations.

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