Hemant Soren’s Petition Against ED Action: Key Points and Next Steps
Hemant Soren, the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand, recently faced a setback in his legal battle against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged money laundering case. While the details of the case are complex and ongoing, here are some key points to understand the current situation:
Background:
The ED initiated an investigation into Soren, accusing him of money laundering related to mining leases granted during his tenure as Chief Minister.
Soren was arrested by the ED in November 2023 and has since been denied bail.
He challenged the ED’s action in the Supreme Court, which directed him to approach the Jharkhand High Court.
Jharkhand High Court Hearing:
On February 2nd, 2024, the Jharkhand High Court heard Soren’s petition challenging the ED’s action.
The court did not grant him immediate relief but instead issued a notice to the ED seeking their response by February 9th.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 12th, where both sides will present their arguments.
Key Issues in the Petition:
Soren’s petition questions the ED’s jurisdiction in investigating the case, arguing that it falls under the purview of the state authorities.
He alleges misuse of power by the ED and claims the investigation is politically motivated.
The petition also challenges the legality of the summons issued by the ED, terming them as a “fishing and roving enquiry.”
Next Steps:
The ED will submit its response to the court by February 9th.
Both sides will present their arguments during the next hearing on February 12th.
The court’s decision will determine whether Soren receives any relief, such as bail or quashing of the ED’s action
Key Points of the Petition:
Soren’s petition raises several arguments, including:
Lack of Jurisdiction: He claims the ED lacks jurisdiction to investigate the case as it falls under the purview of the state police.
Misuse of Power: He alleges the ED is misusing its powers to pressure and intimidate him and the state administration.
Political Vendetta: He claims the investigation is politically motivated and driven by malice.
Fishing and Roving Enquiry: He argues the ED’s summons and information requests are vague and amount to a “fishing and roving enquiry” without specific grounds.
Court’s Decision:
The High Court did not grant any immediate relief to Soren.
Instead, it issued a notice to the ED, seeking their response to the allegations raised in the petition.
The ED has been directed to file its reply by February 9th, 2024.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 12th, 2024.
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Additional Notes:
It is important to note that this is an ongoing legal case, and the final verdict is yet to be reached.
The information presented here is based on publicly available reports and does not constitute legal advice.
The case has significant political implications, with supporters of Soren viewing the ED’s action as politically motivated, while others see it as a legitimate investigation into alleged corruption.
