Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Files FIR Against ED Sleuths at SC/ST Police Station

An FIR against Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths was lodged by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren , on Wednesday, over searches conducted at his Delhi house on Monday night, as reported by news agency PTI.

The FIR was filed at SC/ST police station in Ranchi, PTI further reported. Following the searches at his Delhi house, ED had seized Rs 36 lakh, a BMW SUV, and some "incriminating" documents, reported Deccan Herrald.

Speculations Rise as Jharkhand CM Soren Faces Potential Arrest

As the alleged money laundering case puts Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at risk of arrest, there are widespread speculations that the top post might be taken over by his wife, Kalpana Soren. The Enforcement Directorate is scheduled to interrogate CM Soren at 1 PM on Wednesday at the CM's office.

On Tuesday, two consecutive meetings were convened by Soren, with his wife Kalpana participating in the first one. Subsequently, a legislative party meeting was called, attended by 43 legislators, with four absentees, including Sita Soren, Ramdas Soren, Chamra Linda, and Lobin Hembram - all belonging to the JMM party, reported ABP.

According to news agency PTI, a letter of support was reportedly signed by the MLAs without any name, fueling speculations that the chief minister's wife, Kalpana Soren, might be entrusted with the reins in the event of his arrest.

10 Points | Who Is Kalpana Soren ?

1. Kalpana Soren, originally from Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, lacks a political background.
2. Married to Hemant Soren on February 7, 2006, the couple has two children, Nikhil and Ansh.
3. Involved in business and charity work, Kalpana runs a school and engages in organic farming, according to media reports.
4. Born in Ranchi in 1946, Kalpana holds degrees in engineering and MBA.
5. Despite not being an MLA, for her to assume the role of CM in Jharkhand, a current MLA would need to vacate their seat.
6. The proposal for Kalpana to become the next Chief Minister faced disagreement from Bharatiya Janata Party's Nishikant Dubey, Hemant's brother Basant Soren, and sister-in-law Sita Soren.
7. Basant Soren denied any family rift, stating that the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha family is united, contrary to reported rifts in Nishikant Dubey's family.
8. At a JMM meeting on Tuesday, where the proposal was discussed, at least 35 MLAs were claimed to be present by Nishikant Dubey.
9. According to ABP News sources, a contingency plan was discussed in the meeting, focusing on the government's course of action if the Enforcement Directorate arrested CM Hemant Soren. The meeting extended for two hours.
10. Soren, who had left for New Delhi on January 27 night, returned to his official residence in Ranchi on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, as reported by news agency PTI.