Land Scam Case: ED Summons Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren For Second Round Of Questioning

The ED has issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and asked him to again record his statement in a money laundering case between January 27 and 31.

File Photo Of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren

Source : PTI Images

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren faces another round of questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as fresh summons have been issued, asking him to record a statement between January 27 and 31, according to sources cited by news agency PTI.

ED issues fresh summons to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, asks him to record statement between Jan 27-31: Officials

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 22, 2024

The ED had previously questioned Soren at his Ranchi residence on Saturday, marking the first round of inquiries. During the initial questioning, he addressed the media, asserting that he was a victim of a vast conspiracy. Soren had said, "A conspiracy was hatched against me, but the final nail in the coffin of the conspirators will be put by us... We will not be scared, your leader will face the bullets first and keep your morale high". 

The case revolves around an alleged "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, as per the Central agency.

FIR Against CRPF Personnel Over Alleged 'Violation' Of Prohibitory Orders

In connection with the ED's questioning, an FIR has been lodged against senior CRPF personnel for "violating" prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC during the initial round of Soren's questioning, news agency PTI reported. The FIR, registered at Gonda police station, also includes allegations against JMM workers and 'Bhim Army' supporters for violating the prohibitory orders.

The district administration had imposed Section 144 near Soren's official residence, where he was questioned for an extended period from 7 am to 11 pm on Saturday, restricting demonstrations, carrying weapons, and public meetings.

While the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) accused CRPF personnel of attempting to enter the chief minister's residence without permission during the questioning, the opposition BJP alleged that thousands of JMM workers gathered near the CM's house despite prohibitory orders, posing a threat to ED officials.

As per the report, the CRPF officials have not provided comments on the matter. The FIR against the CRPF personnel was registered under Section 353 of the IPC, dealing with assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from the discharge of duty, as confirmed by Gonda police station in-charge Ravi Thakur, the report said.