HC reserves order on plea against ED arrest

RANCHI : The Jharkhand high court on Wednesday reserved its order in the criminal writ petition of former chief minister Hemant Soren, challenging his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) on money laundering charges, people aware of the development said.

The division bench, led by acting chief justice S. Chandrashekhar, reserved its ruling on the matter after an extensive hearing over the issue for two consecutive days.

One of Soren’s advocates, Piyush Chitresth, said, “The judgment has been reserved.”

Another counsel who was part of the proceedings said the ED’s advocate argued in detail on Wednesday.

“Speaking on behalf of the ED, Additional Solicitor General of India (ASGI) SV Raju stated that there is enough evidence against Hemant Soren for this plea to be denied,” the advocate said.

“An offence against the schedule is made out. Hemant Soren had acquired 8.5 acres in the Badagain zone with the assistance of sub-inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad. Bhanu Pratap, circle officer (CO) Manoj Kumar, CMO personnel, and the caretaker of the land have also mentioned the connection of the said land with Hemant Soren,” the advocate quoted ASGI as saying.

The ASGI further said that Soren visited this land thrice, and in his WhatsApp chat with Vinod Singh, it has come to light that a banquet hall will be built on this land.

Another advocate familiar with the court development said that ASGI submitted before the court that after Raj Kumar Pahan complained to circle officer Bargain on August 16 about possession of his land, on January 29, 2024, the SAR court finally gave the ownership of the said land to Rajkumar Pahan, suggesting a high-level conspiracy.

The ED advocate submitted that ownership right was also given to Pahan when the agency raided Hemant Soren’s residence in Delhi.