JMM Moves Delhi HC Challenging Lokpal’s Order for Investigation into Party Properties

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) moved the Delhi High Court on Wednesday challenging an order of the Lokpal directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate two properties registered under the party’s name.

A single bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad stated that he would address the matter on April 23, 2024.

Represented by senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Arunabh Chowdhury, the JMM challenged the March 4 order of the Lokpal of India, issued in response to a complaint lodged by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey against Rajya Sabha MP Shibu Soren.

“This order is evidently erroneous,” the senior counsel contended.

The anti-corruption ombudsman instructed the CBI to probe alleged benami properties associated with JMM chief Shibu Soren within six months.

In addition to this, the Lokpal directed the CBI to investigate two properties owned by the JMM, as it disposed of a complaint filed on August 5, 2020, by Dubey, who represents Jharkhand’s Godda constituency in the Lok Sabha.

The petition, presented in the high court by advocate Abhishek Roy, argued that the Lokpal’s order was legally flawed and beyond its jurisdiction. It asserted that the order was issued without informing the JMM or affording it an opportunity to present its case.

Dubey’s complaint to the Lokpal alleged that Soren and his family members engaged in widespread corruption, accumulating significant wealth, assets, and properties through illicit means. These properties were allegedly registered in their names or those of family members, associates, and various companies across several districts in Jharkhand, including Ranchi, Dhanbad, and Dumka.

The Lokpal instructed the CBI to provide monthly progress reports on the investigation.

Moreover, the Lokpal noted that the two properties were registered under the JMM’s name, a political party founded by Soren, and were purchased through him in 2014.

“The JMM, under the control and management of the respondent public servant (Shibu Soren), and his family members, wields significant political influence,” the Lokpal observed.

The Lokpal emphasized that while it did not intend to cast aspersions on the JMM as a political entity, it deemed it necessary to investigate Soren’s role in acquiring the two properties.

Considering the gravity of the allegations and the number of properties identified in the preliminary inquiry, the Lokpal asserted that it had a statutory obligation to thoroughly investigate the sources of funds used for purchasing these properties.

According to the complaint, Soren and his son, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, made substantial investments in various companies owned by Amit Agarwal, a close associate, and his family members.