Ex-CM Soren files SLP in SC
RANCHI: Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren filed a special leave petition (SLP) challenging his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) before the Supreme Court, and the same petition has been listed for hearing on April 29, a high court advocate familiar with the development said on Friday.
“The SLP was filed on Thursday, and the same has been listed for hearing in the division bench of justice Sanjeev Khanna and Justice Dipankar Dutta on April 29,” the advocate said.
Another Jharkhand high court advocate said that Soren knocked on the Supreme Court’s door after the high court
did not deliver any judgment in a similar petition and kept its judgment reserved after the hearing.
“After the ED arrested Hemant Soren on January 31 this year, he filed a petition challenging his arrest on February 5. The high court completed a hearing in the matter and reserved its order on February 28. But despite a lapse of almost more than 50 days, it did not pass any order, and thus Soren planned to file an SLP before the Supreme Court for relief,” the high court lawyer said.
Soren’s advocate, Piyush Chitresh, confirmed the fact. “Yes, it is correct,” he said without sharing more details.
However, a civil court lawyer said: “Soren has started taking judicial remedies after the ED filed a prosecution complaint against him in a case of money laundering involving 8.86 acres of tribal land behind DAV School in Bariatu, and the PMLA Court has also taken cognizance in the matter. Soren has earlier approached the trial court for his bail. The hearing will take place on May 1.”