Ranchi, August 31: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has filed a criminal revision petition in the High Court against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) court’s order related to an 8.86-acre land scam case in the Badgai area. This petition challenges a ruling from a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
On June 8, the special PMLA court in Ranchi rejected Soren’s discharge petition. In response, Soren approached the Jharkhand High Court on Monday.
The case, linked to ECI/06/2023, involves allegations of illegal acquisition and transfer of 8.86 acres of land in the Bariyatu area of Ranchi. The ED claims that the land was fraudulently transferred in favor of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.
In his petition, Soren argues that he has no direct ownership of the disputed land and contends that the ED lacks substantial primary evidence in this matter. He asserts that the special court unjustly dismissed his discharge petition without considering the facts.
Soren’s petition requests the High Court to annul the PMLA court’s order and to relieve him from any criminal proceedings related to this case.
It is noteworthy that the ED had previously arrested the Chief Minister after extensive questioning regarding the land scam, although he was later granted bail and resumed his position as Chief Minister. Following the rejection of his discharge petition, he has now sought relief from the High Court. A hearing on this matter is expected to take place soon.
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