Ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Moves HC Seeking Permission to Attend Assembly Budget Session

Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren submitted an application before the state’s high court on Friday, seeking permission to partake in the budget session of the assembly.

A special court in Ranchi had previously refused Soren permission to join the session, which commenced on Friday.

The JMM leader was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in a money laundering case. In his petition, Soren stated the significance of his presence in the House, particularly as several money bills would be subject to voting by the assembly members.

The ED requested time to respond to Soren’s plea, and the high court scheduled February 26 as the next date of hearing.

Soren had earlier filed a petition before the special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court seeking permission to participate in the budget session. Following the conclusion of his 13-day ED custody on February 15, the former Chief Minister was remanded to the Birsa Munda Central Jail.