What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
What TV doesn't, print can't; we deliver.
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids on Wednesday at the residences of close associates of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi, as part of a money laundering investigation related to alleged illegal mining in the state. Abhishek Prasad, Hemant’s press advisor, is among those under investigation, with searches taking place at 12 locations, including Prasad’s residence and the residence of Sahebganj deputy commissioner, according to media.
Despite receiving the seventh summon from the ED, Hemant Soren ignored the directive, claiming he had already provided all necessary details about his properties and deeming the summons illegal. The Chief Minister was allowed to decide the date, time, and place for questioning but missed the deadline for response. He eventually replied two days later, alleging a biased investigation by the agency.
In its seventh summon, the ED emphasised that this was the last chance for Hemant Soren to record his statement under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. The ED stated, “Since you have not come to the office of the Directorate of Enforcement in obedience to the summonses issued to you, we are giving you this last opportunity,” the statement read.
Hemant Soren had been initially summoned by the ED in mid-August in connection with a land ‘scam’ case. Subsequent summons were issued on August 24, September 9, September 23, October 4, and December 12.
Amid speculations within the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha about the possibility of Hemant’s wife, Kalpana Soren, becoming the Chief Minister, Hemant dismissed such claims as the product of the BJP’s imagination. He stated, “Possibility of my wife contesting in the near future is a complete imagination of the BJP… Speculations about handing over reins to her is a fabric woven by the BJP to build a false narrative.”
