Jharkhand HC Seeks ED's Reply By June 10 On Ex-CM Hemant Soren's Bail Plea In Money Laundering Case

The Jharkhand High Court today sought the response of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a petition filed by former state Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking regular bail in connection to a money laundering case related to a land scam.

Soren, in his petition, urged for an immediate hearing on the matter, which was scheduled before the bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay today.

He pleaded before the court that his name does not figure in any of the documents related to the 8.5 acres of land in the Bargain circle and argued that no offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is made out against him.

Soren claimed the ED was relying solely on statements from individuals asserting that the land belonged to him, but there was "no document to back such statements."

The fresh bail petition filed by Soren stated that the ED does not possess a single document related to the 8.5 acres of land, which it alleges he grabbed. Additionally, it was stated that land under Jharkhand's CNT (Chota Nagpur Tenancy) Act cannot be transferred to anyone under any circumstances.

During the hearing today, the Enforcement Directorate requested the Court for three to four weeks to file its response. However, Justice Mukhopadhyay granted two weeks and has scheduled the next hearing for June 10 at 4 pm.

Case Title: Sri Hemant Soren Vs The Directorate Of Enforcement Represented Thr Its Assistant Director Ranchi Zonal Office

Case No.: B.A./4892/2024 Tied Up (PMLA)