In a significant relief for Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Supreme Court has affirmed the continuation of his bail, rejecting the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) appeal against the High Court’s decision. The apex court declined to interfere with the bail order, stating that the High Court had made a sound decision. “We are not inclined to intervene,” the court remarked, appreciating the logical ruling of the High Court. Furthermore, it clarified that the comments made by the High Court would not influence the ongoing trial.
Hemant Soren, leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested on January 31 by the ED in connection with a money laundering case linked to a land scam. Prior to his arrest, Soren had resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand. After securing bail from the High Court, he was re-sworn in as Chief Minister on July 4. The High Court, while granting bail, noted that there was no likelihood of the petitioner committing a similar crime, given the circumstances of the case.
The ED had opposed Soren’s bail application, alleging that he had misused his official position to illegally acquire 8.86 acres of land in Badgam area in the state capital. According to the ED, during the investigation, Hemant Soren’s media advisor, Abhishek Prasad, had admitted that the former Chief Minister had instructed him to manipulate official records to change ownership of the said plot. The real owner, Rajkumar Pahan, had attempted to lodge a complaint when the land was being occupied, but no action was taken. Following the High Court’s decision to grant bail, the ED approached the Supreme Court challenging the order.
