A significant development unfolded in the case of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren as the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court scheduled the next hearing of his bail petition for April 23. Soren, who was arrested on charges related to land fraud and money laundering, remains under judicial scrutiny, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposing his release.
During the court session on Tuesday, presided over by Special Judge Rajiv Ranjan, arguments were heard from both sides. Soren’s legal team urged the court to grant bail, highlighting their client’s cooperative nature during the ongoing investigation. In contrast, the ED’s counsel argued against the bail, emphasizing the severity of the accusations and the continuing investigation.
Judge Ranjan has directed the ED to submit a detailed response explaining why Soren should not be granted bail, thereby setting the stage for a crucial hearing in April. This decision comes after the ED had earlier filed a chargesheet on March 31, solidifying their case against the ex-chief minister.
Soren, who was compelled to resign from his position following his arrest on January 31, has been held in Hotwar Jail since his detainment. The case, which centers around the alleged illegal registration and transfer of approximately eight and a half acres of land in the Bargain region of Ranchi, has garnered significant attention, highlighting the ongoing crackdown on corruption and money laundering in the region.
