Hemant Soren To Attend Jharkhand Floor Test As Special PMLA Court Grants Permission

The special PMLA Court in Ranchi has granted former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren permission to participate in the Floor Test scheduled for February 5 (Monday). Hemant Soren, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday in a money laundering case, filed a petition before the special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court, seeking approval to take part in the trust vote sought by the new government.

ED officials brought Jharkhand Mukti Morcha chief Hemant Soren to the ED office from Birsa Munda jail for questioning on February 3. He was placed in five-day custody by the High Court on Friday in connection with an alleged land scam case.

Key points regarding Hemant Soren's case:

• Hemant Soren was arrested by the ED after multiple summons in an alleged land scam case and extensive questioning on Wednesday night.
• Champai Soren took oath as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Friday amid the political unrest in the state. Congress' Alamgir Alam and RJD's Satyanand Bhokta also took the oath as ministers in the Jharkhand cabinet.
• The ED claimed to have recovered cash exceeding Rs 36 lakh from Hemant Soren, along with documents related to the ongoing investigation into the alleged acquisition of land through fraudulent means.
• The agency stated that land parcels covering 8.5 acres were part of the criminal proceeds acquired by the former CM. The probe revealed that Revenue Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad and others were involved in corrupt practices related to forcefully acquiring properties and using false deeds.
• Hemant Soren moved the Supreme Court against his arrest on Friday, challenging the ED's summons as illegal and void. However, the court refused to entertain his plea, instructing him to approach the concerned High Court with his petition.
• The Supreme Court stated, "We are not inclined to entertain the present petition," and left it open for the petitioner to urge the high court to expeditiously decide the case.
• Soren alleged constant harassment by the ED, accusing the probe agency of misusing its authority and powers at the behest of its political masters.