Ranchi, Jharkhand: In a defiant move, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren skipped another summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on December 12th, 2023, in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to a land scam. This marked the sixth time Soren has failed to appear before the investigating agency.
Instead of complying with the ED’s summons, Soren chose to attend a state government outreach program in Dumka, where he inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projects worth over Rs 1,000 crore. While addressing the gathering, Soren launched a scathing attack on the ED, accusing it of acting as a tool of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to tarnish his image and destabilize his government.
“The ED summons are politically motivated and nothing but a blatant attempt by the BJP to destabilize our government,” Soren declared. “They are desperate to silence my voice and stop the progress we are making in Jharkhand.”
He further alleged that the BJP was misusing central agencies like the ED to target political opponents and suppress dissent. “The people of Jharkhand are watching everything. They will not be fooled by these tactics,” he added.
Soren’s defiance comes after both the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court rejected his petitions seeking protection from the ED’s action. The courts ruled that Soren, as a public servant, was not above the law and had to cooperate with the investigation.
The BJP, on the other hand, slammed Soren’s actions and demanded strict action from the ED. “Soren’s repeated refusal to appear before the ED clearly shows his guilt,” said Pratul Shahdeo, a BJP spokesperson. “The ED should take strong action against him to ensure justice prevails.”
Soren’s refusal to cooperate with the ED has intensified the political slugfest in Jharkhand. The opposition parties have accused the government of corruption and demanded Soren’s resignation. Meanwhile, the ruling JMM-led alliance has rallied behind Soren, calling the ED’s investigation politically motivated.
The Land Scam Allegations:
The ED is probing Soren’s alleged involvement in the grant of mining leases and allocation of government land to his close associates during his tenure as a minister in the previous JMM government (2013-2018). The agency suspects illegal money laundering activities in these deals.
Soren has denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations against him are baseless and politically motivated. He has also accused the BJP of using the ED to settle political scores.
The Legal Battle:
Soren has challenged the ED’s summonses in both the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court. He argued that the ED was exceeding its jurisdiction and that the investigation was a violation of his rights.
However, both courts have dismissed his petitions, upholding the ED’s right to investigate the case. The courts have directed Soren to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the ED as required.
The Political Fallout:
Soren’s defiance has further deepened the political divide in Jharkhand. The BJP has intensified its attack on the government, demanding Soren’s resignation. The opposition parties have also joined the chorus, calling for a thorough investigation into the alleged land scam.
Meanwhile, the JMM-led alliance has defended Soren, accusing the BJP of witch-hunting. The alliance has also accused the central government of misusing central agencies like the ED for political purposes.
The Way Forward:
With both the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court refusing to shield Soren from the ED’s investigation, the Chief Minister faces a tough challenge ahead. He will have to decide whether to continue defying the summonses and risk further legal consequences or cooperate with the ED and face the potential political fallout.
The outcome of the ED’s investigation will have significant implications for Soren’s political career and the future of the JMM-led government in Jharkhand.
