ED Questions Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate questioned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his Delhi residence in connection with a money laundering investigation, seizing a Haryana-registered BMW car and documents during a 13-hour search.

New Delhi/Ranchi: In a significant development, an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team visited the Delhi residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday, January 29, to question him in connection with a money laundering investigation. The ED officials spent over 13 hours at Soren's residence, conducting a thorough search of the premises.

Soren's Absence and Allegations of Political Motive

Official sources claimed that Soren was not present at his residence and could not be contacted by the federal agency. However, a family member of the chief minister alleged that a false narrative was being created to delegitimize Soren's position as the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).

The family member, who chose to remain anonymous, asserted that there were repeated communications with the ED, and Soren had expressed his willingness to record his statement on January 31, 2024, at 1 pm at his Ranchi residence.

ED's Actions and Seizure of Assets

ED officials, accompanied by Delhi Police personnel, arrived at Soren's residence in South Delhi around 9 am. Several ED officials were seen leaving the premises at approximately 10.30 pm. Sources revealed that the agency seized a Haryana-registered BMW car from Soren's residence, along with some documents recovered during the search.

Political Reactions and Concerns

Soren's absence from Ranchi for the past 18 hours raised concerns among political circles. The Jharkhand unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that the chief minister was absconding, fearing action from the ED. The BJP urged Governor C P Radhakrishnan to take cognizance of the matter, expressing concerns about the credibility and reputation of Jharkhand.

Previous Questioning and Fresh Summons

The ED had previously questioned Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 in connection with the money laundering case. Following this, a fresh summons was issued, asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31. Soren had sent a communication to the agency but had not confirmed the date and time for questioning.

Soren's Email and Allegations of Political Agenda

In an email to the ED on Sunday, Soren expressed concerns that the ED's actions were motivated by a political agenda to disrupt the state government's functioning. He alleged that the insistence on recording his statement again on or before January 31 reeked of malice.

Soren agreed to record his statement on January 31 at his Ranchi residence but requested that the video recording of the seven-hour questioning on January 20 be preserved and made available to the court of law.

Governor's Response and Tight Security

In Delhi, ED officials briefly left the chief minister's residence at 8 pm to inspect the BMW car parked there before returning inside without addressing media queries.

Meanwhile, Jharkhand Governor Radhakrishnan stated that he was closely monitoring the situation in the state following the ED summons to the chief minister. He emphasized his role as the custodian of the Constitution and expressed readiness to address any challenges that may arise.

In Ranchi, security was tightened at the CM House, Raj Bhavan, and central government offices amid the ongoing developments.

Political Rallies and Accusations

The JMM organized a massive rally in Ranchi, accusing the ED of targeting Soren. Protests were also held in Jamshedpur and other parts of the state. JMM general secretary and spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya criticized the ED's actions as uncalled for and unconstitutional, suggesting political motivations behind the move.

BJP leaders, on the other hand, questioned Soren's whereabouts and alleged that he had fled his Delhi residence on foot, covering his face with a sheet. They claimed that Soren's security personnel was also missing, raising concerns about the chief minister's security.

Allegations of Conspiracy and Concerns about President's Rule

Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur alleged that a well-designed conspiracy was underway to create confusion surrounding Soren's location. He expressed concerns about attempts to create a perception that President's rule may be imposed in the state.

Governor Radhakrishnan, when asked about the possibility of President's Rule, dismissed it as mere guesswork and urged political parties not to engage in such speculations. He emphasized that no one is above the law and that the chief minister must respond to the ED's summons.

Unprecedented Situation and Ongoing Investigation

A top Jharkhand government official described the situation as unprecedented, expressing uncertainty about the chief minister's whereabouts. The ED had previously recorded Soren's statement on January 20, spending approximately seven hours at his residence and posing several questions related to the money laundering case.

The investigation pertains to a significant racket involving the illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia in Jharkhand. The ED has arrested 14 individuals in connection with the case, including an IAS officer and a former deputy commissioner of Ranchi.