Jharkhand HC Seeks ED's Response On Hemant Soren's Plea Against Arrest, Next Hearing On Feb 12

Jharkhand High Court asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file reply on the petition filed by the former CM and JMM chief Hemant Soren against his arrest in an alleged money laundering case

Jharkhand High Court on Monday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and sought its reply on the petition filed by the former CM and JMM chief Hemant Soren against his arrest in an alleged money laundering case.

The High Court has directed the ED to file its reply by February 9. The high court has listed the case for further hearing on February 12, reported ANI.

Earlier in the day, the ED moved Jharkhand HC challenging the FIR against its officials based on a complaint by Hemant Soren alleging harassment under the  Scheduled Tribe/ Scheduled Caste ( Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

The case came up in high court after the apex court on Friday refused to entertain his petition against the arrest by the ED in relation to an alleged money laundering scam.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Soren, told the top court on Friday that the matter pertains to a chief minister who has been arrested. Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, also appearing for Soren, said that the court has concurrent powers to hear the case.

However, the top court said that high courts are constitutional courts too and Soren must first approach the high court.

ED has claimed 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 ex-Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) head Hemant Soren in its searches in the alleged money laundering case.

The ED has said that it has found that 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 submitted that Soren was found to be guilty under Section 3 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and was liable to be arrested under Section 19 of the money laundering act, the ED has submitted in court.

ED has said that the 8.5 acre land parcels are part of criminal proceeds as Soren illegally acquired and occupied them.