Jharkhand HC Takes Up Hemant Soren's Plea, Seeks ED Response, Next Hearing On Feb 27

The Jharkhand High Court granted former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren permission to amend his previous petition and issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court instructed the ED to submit a consolidated counter affidavit within two weeks, with the case scheduled for another hearing on February 27. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, urged the high court to expedite the matter, arguing that a two-week timeframe was excessive, as reported by LiveLaw.

Soren initially filed a petition challenging ED's summons, which he later amended to contest his arrest in an alleged money laundering case.

While the ED objected to the petition's amendment, the high court, in its ruling, acknowledged that most statements in amendment petitions typically stem from subsequent developments in the filing process, as reported by LiveLaw.

The case reached the high court after the Supreme Court declined to entertain Soren's plea against his ED arrest related to an alleged money laundering scheme. The ED alleges that Soren unlawfully acquired and occupied 8.5 acres of land linked to criminal proceeds.

During its investigations into the alleged money laundering case, the ED claims to have seized cash exceeding Rs 36 lakhs and documents pertaining to Soren's alleged illegal possession of at least 12 land parcels.

According to the ED, Soren was directly involved in various processes and activities related to the acquisition, concealment, possession, and utilization of proceeds of crime, presenting them as legitimate assets. Soren faces charges under Section 3 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Section 19 of the money laundering act.