RNS: The Supreme Court, on Monday, declined to entertain the plea of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging the summonses issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against him. Instead, the apex court directed CM Soren to seek recourse in the relevant High Court regarding this matter.
The ED had previously served three summonses to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with an alleged land scam case. However, the latest twist in the legal saga unfolded on Monday when the ED issued a fourth summons to CM Soren, this time pertaining to an alleged military land scam case, scheduling his appearance for the 23rd of this month.
The Enforcement Directorate is actively investigating multiple cases in Jharkhand under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
It is worth noting that in November 2022, Hemant Soren was summoned by the agency and subjected to over 10 hours of questioning regarding his alleged involvement in an illegal mining case. During this prior interaction, he was also interrogated under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ongoing investigation has witnessed several significant developments. The ED has taken into custody and detained numerous individuals, including Chhavi Ranjan, the former Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi, as well as several prominent business figures. These arrests form part of the ongoing probe into the alleged land scam case.
As the legal battle ensues, all eyes are now on the concerned High Court to determine the fate of Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the face of the Enforcement Directorate’s summonses and the intricate web of allegations surrounding these cases.
