Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Moves Supreme Court Against ED Summons In Money Laundering Case

Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, did not attend the second summons by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a money laundering case related to the fraudulent sale of land in the state capital. He has moved to the Supreme Court in response. The Chief Minister's decision was communicated through a staff member at the ED's zonal office, while he continued his work at the state secretariat.

A senior official stated that the Chief Minister declined to appear, citing a filed writ petition regarding the matter. The Enforcement Directorate had initially summoned Soren for questioning on August 14, but he contested the summons, deeming it politically driven, and warned of potential legal action.

Dismissing Soren's allegations, the agency issued a second summons for August 24. Previously, in November of the prior year, the 48-year-old leader had been questioned for over nine hours in a separate money laundering case tied to alleged illegal mining in the state.

The Enforcement Directorate is investigating numerous land transactions, some involving defense land, where collusion among land mafia, intermediaries, and bureaucrats is suspected in forging deeds dating as far back as 1932.

Soren, who had previously been questioned in November, has consistently claimed that the opposition BJP in the state is conspiring to undermine his government. He emphasized the need for thorough investigations before allegations are leveled and expressed concern that the summons may imply an intent to evade the country.