According to sources, Hemant Soren was deemed “evasive” in his responses during the ED’s questioning, leading to his custody under the PMLA
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In a major development today in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This arrest comes in the wake of Soren’s resignation as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and is linked to his alleged involvement in a complex land scam that has gripped the state.
According to sources, Soren was deemed “evasive” in his responses during the ED’s questioning, leading to his custody under the PMLA. The ED plans to present Soren before a special PMLA court in Ranchi, seeking his remand for further custodial interrogation. This case has already seen the arrest of 14 individuals, including Chhavi Ranjan, a 2011-batch IAS officer who previously served as the director of Jharkhand’s Social Welfare Department and as the deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
The land scam in question involves a sophisticated network of brokers and businessmen who allegedly manipulated land records to create fake deeds for valuable land parcels. These fraudulent deeds were then used to sell the land to various individuals and companies, resulting in significant financial gains for those involved.
A central figure in this scheme is Kolkata-based businessman Amit Kumar Agarwal, arrested by the ED last year. Agarwal is suspected of managing tainted funds for several politicians, including Soren, as alleged in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Jharkhand High Court.
The ED’s investigation has uncovered a pattern of illegal transactions and land acquisitions, with Soren allegedly playing a key role in the scam. The charge sheet filed by the ED details the fraudulent acquisition of prime land parcels, including defence land, valued at over ₹74 crore at current market prices. The modus operandi involved the creation of back-dated deeds, falsification of records, and the use of fake stamps and seals to simulate legitimate transactions.
One notable instance cited in the charge sheet is the sale of a 4.55-acre defence land in Ranchi, acquired through a fake deed prepared by Afshar Ali and his accomplices. This land was then sold to Jagatbandhu Tea Estates Pvt Ltd, a company owned by Amit Agarwal, at a significantly undervalued price.
Another case involves land in Hehal, where original deeds were tampered with and sold to unsuspecting buyers. Chhavi Ranjan is implicated in these transactions, accused of influencing officials and facilitating the mutation of land records to enable these illegal sales.
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The charge sheet also reveals instances where multiple individuals claimed the same property using falsified documents, underscoring the extent of the alleged fraud. While the specific details of Hemant Soren’s involvement in these transactions have not been fully disclosed by the ED, his arrest highlights the seriousness of the allegations against him.
This case represents a significant moment in Jharkhand’s political landscape, shedding light on the intricate and illegal land dealings that have plagued the state. The arrest of a high-profile political figure like Hemant Soren not only underscores the ED’s commitment to uncovering the truth but also signals a warning to other potential offenders involved in similar corrupt practices. As the investigation continues, more details are expected to emerge, potentially leading to further revelations and arrests in this complex and far-reaching land scam.
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