Big relief! SC upholds bail for Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, rejects ED's plea

New Delhi: In a big relief for the Jharkhand CM, The Supreme Court of India today dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) petition challenging the bail granted to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a high-profile money laundering case. The case involves allegations of a land scam, with Soren accused of manipulating records and acquiring valuable land through fraudulent means.

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court upheld the judgment of the Jharkhand High Court, which had granted bail to Soren on June 28. The High Court had concluded that the evidence presented did not demonstrate Soren's "direct involvement" in the alleged land scam. The Supreme Court bench, consisting of Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, described the High Court’s decision as “very well reasoned” and expressed its reluctance to interfere with the lower court’s order.

“We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned order,” the bench stated, affirming the lower court's decision to grant bail.

ED arrested Soren on charges of money laundering 

The case dates back to January 31, when the Enforcement Directorate arrested Soren on charges of money laundering. The ED's allegations include claims that Soren was involved in a scheme to falsify documents and manipulate records to illegally acquire 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi, valued in the crores.

Soren denied these charges 

Soren, a prominent leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), has consistently denied these charges. He has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating his arrest to disrupt opposition activities in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections. His legal team argued that the charges were politically motivated and part of a broader strategy to undermine him and his party.