New Delhi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren moved the high court on Friday, seeking permission to take part in the ongoing budget session of the assembly, news agency PTI reported. Earlier, a special court in Ranchi had denied Soren's plea to attend the session which commenced on Friday. Soren, a leader of the JMM, had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in connection to a money laundering case.
The ED sought an extension to respond to Soren's petition, leading the high court to schedule the next hearing for February 26. During the proceedings, Advocate General Rajeev Ranjan, representing Soren, highlighted the significance of his presence in the assembly, especially considering that this would be the government's final budget session before the upcoming assembly elections later this year. Ranjan argued that numerous financial bills and accounts would be deliberated upon, subject to voting by assembly members, hence emphasising the former CM's necessity to participate, PTI reported.
Ranjan also reassured the court that Soren's attendance in the assembly wouldn't impede the ED's ongoing investigation.
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Meanwhile, the central probe agency, represented by Additional Solicitor General of India S V Raju and A K Das, requested additional time to prepare a response to Soren's plea.
The ongoing assembly session, scheduled from February 23 to March 2, will have the Champai Soren government presenting its inaugural budget on February 27.
Champai Soren, a senior JMM leader, assumed the role of chief minister following the arrest of Hemant Soren by the ED on January 31. After a 13-day period in ED custody, the former CM was transferred to Birsa Munda Central Jail on February 15.
Earlier this week, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, expressing solidarity with Hemant Soren, said the latter wouldn't have been arrested had he joined hands with the BJP.