Ranchi, Sept 19: Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren is scheduled to appear through video conferencing before a Special PMLA court in Ranchi on Monday in connection with a money laundering case linked to an 8.86-acre plot of land in the Bargayin area.
The court has directed Soren to appear virtually by 4 pm as proceedings move towards the framing of charges in the case.The development follows the Jharkhand High Court’s recent refusal to stay proceedings before the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court.
Soren had approached the High Court after the lower court rejected his discharge petition on June 8.The High Court heard the matter on September 16 and reserved its order before dismissing Soren’s plea on Friday, allowing the proceedings in the trial court to continue.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that the land was acquired and transferred through fraudulent means involving manipulation of land records and official documents.
The agency has also alleged that the property was ultimately transferred in Soren’s favour.Soren has denied the allegations and challenged the basis of the proceedings against him.The Special PMLA court has already framed charges against several other accused in the case, including Antu Tirkey, architect Vinod Kumar Singh and others. Rajkumar Pahan, identified as the raiyat or landholder of the property, is also among the accused.
The ED had arrested Soren on January 31, 2024, in connection with the land-linked money laundering investigation, shortly after he resigned as chief minister. He was later granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court and released from Birsa Munda Central Jail on June 28, 2024.
Monday’s appearance is expected to mark another step in the proceedings against Soren. The framing of charges is a stage of criminal proceedings and does not amount to a finding of guilt. The allegations against the accused remain subject to adjudication by the court.
