He Will No Doubt Come Out Of Jail, Only Concern Is When: Sibal Presses Supreme Court For Hemant Soren's Release During Lok Sabha Elections

While arguing former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's petition challenging his arrest by the ED in an alleged land scam case, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal told the Supreme Court today that Soren was not concerned about not being able to come out of jail. There was no doubt that he would come out, but the question was about the timing, said the senior counsel.

The matter was before a bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta, which listed it for May 17 on Sibal's insistence.

Initially, the Justice Khanna-led bench expressed an inclination to list the matter during vacations (on May 20). However, Sibal objected to the same, saying Lok Sabha elections would be over by then. When the bench was not convinced, the senior counsel conveyed that he'd rather withdraw, or the bench may pass a dismissal order, as what was happening was "not fair".

Justice Khanna told Sibal that Soren would be able to come out of jail if he makes a case. Sibal responded by saying that Soren would eventually come out, there is no doubt about that, but the concern at this stage was Lok Sabha elections. He gave the example of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, who was recently granted interim bail by the court (till June 1).

"That is not the point, whether I am out or not. I am going to be out. I know. But that is not the point. The whole purpose is the elections.", Sibal said.

Eventually, the matter was listed for May 17, with Justice Khanna clarifying that there was no assurance that it would be taken up on that day (as there are many cases listed due to May 17 being the last day before summer vacations). Sibal although agreed to "take a chance".

Case Title: HEMANT SOREN Versus DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT AND ANR., SLP(Crl) No. 6611/2024