New Delhi (IANS): The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday provided significant interim relief to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. A division bench of the Apex Court stayed the ongoing proceedings against him in a Ranchi special court regarding his alleged non-compliance with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons.
The bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, also issued a formal notice to the ED, requesting a response to Soren’s petition.
The Core of the Dispute
The legal battle involves a complaint the ED filed on February 19, 2024. The federal agency alleges that CM Soren ignored multiple summons related to a money laundering probe involving a suspected land scam in Ranchi’s Bargain area.
According to the ED’s timeline:
- Total Summons Issued: 10 (between August 2023 and January 2024).
- Appearances: The agency claims Soren appeared only twice.
- Alleged Violations: Section 63 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
From Ranchi to the Supreme Court
The case originally moved from the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) court to the MP-MLA Special Court in Ranchi. Soren initially challenged the proceedings in the Jharkhand High Court, seeking to have them quashed. However, the High Court declined to intervene, directing the trial to continue.
Soren then escalated the matter to the Supreme Court. During Wednesday’s hearing, his counsel, Advocate Pragya Singh Baghel, argued that the Chief Minister:
- Provided written responses for the summons he could not attend.
- Cooperatively appeared before the ED on subsequent occasions.
- Is facing a complaint that is “malicious in nature.”
What Happens Next?
With the Supreme Court staying the Ranchi court proceedings, the case is effectively on hold. The top court will revisit the matter once the ED files its official response.
