Jharkhand HC Seeks ED Response on Ex-CM Hemant Soren’s Plea Challenging Arrest

The Jharkhand High Court on Monday sought a reply from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on a petition filed by former Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his earlier arrest by the probe agency in an alleged land scam.

The ED has been directed to submit its reply by February 9, with the next hearing scheduled for February 12, 2024.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren, who was arrested on January 31 after seven hours of questioning, leading to a political crisis in the state. He faces inquiries from the probe agency in a money laundering case related to the alleged land “scam.”

Following Hemant Soren’s arrest, senior JMM leader Champai Soren took the oath as Chief Minister on Friday afternoon.

In the midst of these legal developments, Hemant Soren arrived at the state Assembly on Monday to participate in the floor test of the Champai Soren-led government, aiming to demonstrate their majority. The two-day special Jharkhand Assembly session commenced on the same day. The newly formed Champai Soren-led coalition government is set to seek a trust vote.

In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha holds 29 seats, with its ally Congress having 17 seats, and the RJD and CPI (ML) holding 1 seat each. With the support of 43 MLAs, the INDIA bloc has the numbers to pass the floor test, with the majority mark set at 41. The INDIA bloc MLAs, who were moved to Telangana over alleged poaching concerns by the BJP, arrived on Sunday evening for the floor test.