The Jharkhand High Court on Monday allowed former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren's amendment to his earlier petition and issued notice to Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The court has directed ED to file a consolidated counter affidavit in court within two weeks. The matter will be heard again on February 27. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Soren urged the high court to list the matter earlier saying two weeks time is too long in a matter like this, LiveLaw reported.
Soren had filed an amendment to his earlier petition in court in which the former CM had challenged ED's summons to him. The petition was later amended by him to challenge his arrest in the alleged money laundering case.
The ED had challenged the amendment to petition. However, the high court while dictating the order noted that it is not disputed that most statements made in amendment petitions are subsequent developments in filing of this petition, LiveLaw reported.
The case came up in high court after the apex court refused to entertain Soren's petition against the arrest by the ED in relation to an alleged money laundering scam. ED has said that Soren illegally acquired and occupied 8.5 acre land parcels which are part of criminal proceeds.
ED has alleged that it recovered cash worth more than Rs 36 lakhs and documents pertaining to the illegal possession and occupation of at least 12 land parcels by Soren in its searches in the alleged money laundering case.
According to ED, Soren was actually and knowingly involved in process and activities connected with the acquisition, concealment, possession, and use of proceeds of crime and projecting the said proceeds of crime as untainted property. The ED has charged Soren under Section 3 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and Section 19 of the money laundering act.