Supreme Court gives no interim relief to ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren

by IANS |



New Delhi, May 17 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Friday refused to consider the plea filed by former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking interim release to enable him to campaign during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.


A Bench presided over by Justice Sanjiv Khanna was hearing Soren’s plea filed against his arrest in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.


However, the Bench, also comprising Justice Dipankar Datta, asked the federal anti-money laundering agency to file its reply, including the interim relief, by Monday (May 20).


Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Soren, submitted that polling in Jharkhand commenced on May 13 and the remaining three phases of elections will be held on May 20, May 25 and June 1.


Sibal added that there exists “no material” against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and the money laundering case is based on oral statements stating that the land in question belongs to the former Chief Minister. “I am not in possession of land and I’ve never been,” he said.


Opposing this, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate (ED), stated that Soren is directly involved and he could not be released on interim bail since he was arrested way before the Lok Sabha elections schedule was announced.


ASG Raju said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) would require time to reply to Soren’s petition. Acceding to submission, the apex court directed the matter to be relisted on May 21 before the vacation bench.


Hemant Soren resigned from the chief minister's post on January 31, after the ED informed him that it was arresting him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).


In an order passed on May 3, the Jharkhand High Court dismissed Soren’s writ petition against ED arrest, saying that “there is an abundance of documents that lay a foundation for the arrest and remand of the petitioner to police and judicial custody”.



Latest News
How clinical and meticulous planning, execution got India its second U19 Women's T20 WC title Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 03:14 PM
We humbly accept people's verdict: Kejriwal concedes defeat, congratulates BJP Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 03:09 PM
Alex Carey breaks Gilchrist's record with historic 156 in Galle Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 02:51 PM
Mpox deaths in Africa exceed 100 since beginning of 2025 Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 02:45 PM
What to say on Kejriwal's doom: Gaurav Bhatia on AAP's setback in Delhi polls Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 02:36 PM
RBI hints further steps to ensure liquidity, US tariff uncertainties to cool off soon Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 02:31 PM
Zambian President vows commitment to peace efforts in CongoZambian President vows commitment to peace efforts in Congo Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 02:18 PM
Kejriwal's 'greed for money', reason behind AAP setback in Delhi polls: Anna Hazare Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:39 PM
Indian origin man gets up to 25 years in drunk driving crash killing 2 teens Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:34 PM
Negotiating with US will not solve Iran's problems: Khamenei Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:27 PM
Bangar advises Rohit Sharma to 'keep it simple' amid prolonged lean patch Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:21 PM
Team India arrive in Cuttack ahead of 2nd ODI against England Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:18 PM
Trump cancels Biden clearance for classified briefings Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:16 PM
Another Cong decimation on cards, trends show party heading for duck again Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 12:07 PM
Pall of gloom at AAP office after EC trends indicate BJP well above majority mark Sat, Feb 08, 2025, 11:56 AM