Hemant Soren's Bail: SC Junks ED's Plea Against Bail, Says HC Gave 'Well Reasoned Judgment'

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate against the Jharkhand High Court order granting bail to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. 

The Jharkhand High Court order had observed that prima facie Hemant Soren was not guilty of money laundering.

Source : PTI Images

The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate against the Jharkhand High Court order granting bail to Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The top court while dismissing the petition said that the high court order granting bail to Soren was a very well reasoned order.

The bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan heard the matter.

"We don't want to observe anything further. If we observe anything more, you will be in difficulty..." Justice Gavai cautioned ASG Raju appearing for the Enforcement Directorate.

The Jharkhand High Court order had observed that prima facie Hemant Soren was not guilty of money laundering.

The top court said they are not inclined to interfere with the high court order. However, the top court clarified that the observations made by high court is for consideration of bail and the same would not have any impact on the trial court proceedings.

Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appearing for the ED raised objections to the High Court doubting Section 50 statements of witnesses recorded by the ED under PMLA.

The bench however said, "in our opinion, it is a very well-reasoned order," and the ED must show some nexus between Soren and Raj Kumar Pahawan.

The bench further said that the high court gave valid reasons in its bail order for disregarding Section 50 statements completely.

Justice Gavai cautioned ASG SV Raju as he continued with his arguments against high court order and said that if we observe anything further, you will be in difficulty. "Very well-reasoned judgment has been rendered by the learned judge," the SUpreme Court said.