Under the leadership of Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, a five-judge bench has forwarded the Jhamumo bribery case to a seven-judge panel. The reference stems from a 1998 Supreme Court ruling, which stated that elected representatives could be pardoned for long-standing cases. Seizing on this precedent, Sita Soren appealed for leniency in the bribery case against her from 2012.
In 2012, Sita Soren was accused of accepting a bribe to vote for a particular candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections. Now, the seven-judge bench will decide whether those accused in the Jhamumo bribery case, including Shibu Soren, should be penalized. Questions also arise about whether Sita Soren can receive leniency independent of the case against Shibu Soren.
