Today(on 3rd May), Jharkhand High Court dismisses Hemant Soren’s criminal writ petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Ranchi: Today(on 3rd May), The High Court has dismissed the criminal writ petition filed by Hemant Soren, former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court had reserved its decision on the case back on February 28, and after careful consideration, it has ruled against Soren’s plea. The Supreme Court had also issued a notice to the Directorate of Enforcement in response to Soren’s plea seeking interim relief in a money laundering case.
The matter is now scheduled to be heard in the second week of May.
While awaiting the verdict, the Supreme Court made a statement suggesting that the Jharkhand High Court may proceed with pronouncing the order in Soren’s plea challenging his arrest in the money laundering case. It is important to note that the Jharkhand High Court had previously reserved the order on Soren’s plea on February 28. Dissatisfied with the High Court’s delay in deciding his plea, Soren approached the top court and simultaneously sought interim bail in the matter.
ALSO READ: BREAKING | Hemant Soren’s Bail Plea Rejected in Jharkhand Court
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, informed the court that the High Court had not yet passed the order on Soren’s plea challenging his arrest. He urged the top court to grant interim bail while the case is ongoing. Soren had earlier requested an urgent hearing, citing the ongoing Lok Sabha poll as a crucial factor.
In February, the High Court had reserved its decision on Soren’s plea, wherein he argued that his arrest was unjustified and his remand in the matter was arbitrary and illegal. Soren, in his plea, firmly claimed that his arrest was illegal and mala fide.His petition, filed through advocate Pragya Baghel, aimed to challenge the legality of his arrest and seek redress for the alleged misconduct surrounding the case.
Hemant Soren, also the Chairperson of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in January amidst media speculation and drama. His arrest in a land scam case sparked public interest and triggered a legal battle questioning its basis and legitimacy.
The dismissal of Soren’s criminal writ petition by the High Court has brought clarity to the legal proceedings surrounding his arrest. With the matter now scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court in May, the case will continue to attract attention and scrutiny.
ALSO READ: Supreme Court: Hemant Soren Withdraws Plea Against HC Order
BACKGROUND :
Soren’s arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in connection with a money laundering case has led to his present judicial custody. A special court in Ranchi had previously denied him permission to participate in the Assembly session. However, the High court had permitted Soren, who is the executive president of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), to take part in the trust vote held on February 5.
The allegations of money laundering against Soren involve the illegal possession of certain immovable assets and alleged connections with members of the ‘land mafia’.
