Ranchi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was sent to judicial custody today by a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi. He was taken to the Central Jail in Hotwar amidst tight security.
Soren was brought to the Ranchi Civil Court complex at 2:35 pm earlier today amid heavy security deployment.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating a mining lease case involving Soren, sought a 10-day remand to question him further. However, this demand was opposed by Soren’s legal counsel.
After the extensive deliberations, the special ED court reserved its decision concerning the remand. Consequently, on Thursday, Hemant Soren was placed in judicial custody, and there remains the possibility of additional hearings in the special court on Friday.
The ED claims that Soren has not provided adequate information related to the mining lease case in which he has been accused of granting himself a lease as the state mining minister. It alleges that his actions constitute money laundering charges.
Meanwhile, tight security arrangements were made throughout Soren’s transfer to jail to prevent any escalation. Following the court’s order, Soren was directly transported from the court premises to Hotwar Jail.
Legal experts say he can apply for bail which, if granted, will lead to his release from custody.
