The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with an alleged land scam, requiring his appearance on the following day under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Previously, CM Soren filed a writ petition in the Jharkhand High Court challenging the ED’s summons in a money laundering case. His petition to the Supreme Court was denied, and the apex court directed him to go to the appropriate High Court to contest the ED summons.
In his plea to the Supreme Court, Soren described the case against him as an abuse of law by the Central Government and misuse of Central agencies to disrupt the democratically elected Jharkhand Government, of which he is the Chief Minister.
The ED had initially summoned Soren in mid-August regarding a ‘land scam’ case, which he disregarded, citing his involvement in the state’s Independence Day celebrations. Subsequently, he ignored summons on August 24 and September 9, citing prior commitments. Despite Soren’s threat to pursue legal action against the Center if the summons were not withdrawn, the ED issued a fourth summons for September 23.
In a letter to the agency, Soren stated that he had already provided all necessary documents and information requested by the ED. He accused the ED of summoning him on August 14 at the behest of its “political masters.”