One day after conducting a search at the Delhi residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Tuesday that it had seized Rs 36 lakh, an SUV, and certain incriminating documents.
#WATCH | Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren arrives at his residence in Ranchi
He is being probed by ED in money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam pic.twitter.com/8GZuSVz2Hk
— ANI (@ANI) January 30, 2024
Despite these developments, the Jharkhand Opposition, led by the BJP, alleged that Soren was “missing.” In response, the Chief Minister called for a meeting of all MLAs from the ruling coalition at his residence. The ED team had visited Soren’s South Delhi residence on Monday to interrogate him regarding a money laundering investigation linked to an alleged land fraud case. However, Soren was not present at home, leading the ED officials to camp there for nearly 13 hours. Sources suggest that the ED teams will remain at the residence until Soren returns, and authorities are keeping a watch at the Delhi airport as well.
During the day-long operation, ED teams reportedly seized approximately Rs 36 lakh in cash, a BMW with a Haryana number plate registered under a benami name, and several incriminating documents. In response, Soren, aged 48, has informed the ED of his willingness to depose before them at his Ranchi residence around 1 pm on Wednesday. The ED had issued a fresh summons, offering dates for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha’s (JMM) general secretary, Supriyo Bhattacharya, criticized the ED’s sudden arrival at the Chief Minister’s official residence with armed personnel, questioning its legality. Bhattacharya raised concerns about the urgency, considering that the ED officials did not wait even for two days when Soren had previously undergone seven hours of interrogation a week ago.
JMM added that such actions were an affront to the dignity of a chief minister and disrespectful to the 3.5 crore people of the state. Meanwhile, BJP state chief Babulal Marandi alleged that Soren had gone into hiding due to fear of the ED.
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