Former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, found himself in legal turmoil as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) took him into custody on charges of money laundering in connection with an alleged land fraud case. This development transpired immediately after Soren’s resignation from the position of Chief Minister.
The arrest comes on the heels of an intense seven-hour questioning session by the ED, during which Soren faced queries regarding his involvement in the land scam. He is expected to make a court appearance today, where the ED is anticipated to seek custody, presenting evidence substantiating the charges against him.
This marks the second round of questioning for Soren by the ED, following a preliminary session on January 20. The probe agency had posed 15 questions during this recent session, seeking clarity on the alleged financial irregularities.
Amid accusations by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that Soren was evading the ED’s scrutiny, he chaired a meeting with ruling coalition MLAs on Tuesday. The ED had previously conducted a search at his Delhi residence, resulting in the confiscation of cash, luxury cars, and incriminating documents on Monday.
Champai Soren, a loyalist of Shibu Soren, has emerged as a contender to form the new government in Jharkhand with the backing of 47 legislators.
Hemant Soren’s arrest is significant as it marks the first instance of a sitting Jharkhand Chief Minister being taken into custody in connection with a corruption case. The political landscape in the state is expected to witness shifts as a result of this development.
Opposition leaders from the I.N.D.I.A. bloc have come together to discuss the situation and have strongly condemned the arrest. They allege that investigative agencies are being utilized as tools to eliminate political opposition.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the chorus of criticism, pointing fingers at the BJP and accusing it of orchestrating a campaign to undermine democracy in its pursuit of power.
