The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday opposed former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s plea seeking interim bail for the elections. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court asked Soren’s lawyer whether his arrest could be challenged after a trial court took cognizance of the chargesheet filed in a money laundering case against him in connection with the land deal case.
The court has re-listed the matter for a further hearing on May 22.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, explained the difference between the case against Hemant Soren and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He said that the special court found a prima facie case against Soren and has taken cognizance of the chargesheet. Soren was named in the prosecution complaint, ASG Raju said.
The top court noted that Soren applied for interim bail when his writ petition was pending before the high court.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal who appeared for the Soren said if Soren’s plea challenging arrest in HC remains pending for 2.5 months, then he can never apply for bail.
SC remarks that why could you not tell the High Court that since the judgment is not pronounced he is seeking bail then the court will note that it is without prejudice. Soren’s lawyer then cited the case against Prabir Purkayastha.
Soren’s lawyer, defending the JMM leader, said that Soren’s arrest was illegal and no case was made against his client.
Yesterday, ED replied to Soren’s plea and said that Soren is disentitled to seek any interim bail as he has foisted false cases on the investigating officers of ED under the SC/ST Act to prevent and obstruct the authorities under the PMLA from discharging their duties.
In a vide order dated March 21, 2024, the High Court observed that it was not desirable on the part of the opposite party (State of Jharkhand) to issue any notice under Section 41A of the CrPC directing the official of the Directorate of Enforcement to appear personally present before the office in charge of Gonda police in connection with SC/ST case and accordingly the HC stayed the operation of the notice issued to ED in the matter, the probe agency said.
Soren has approached the top court against the Jharkhand High Court decision, which rejected his plea challenging arrest in a money laundering case. The Jharkhand High Court has rejected Soren’s plea challenging arrest in a money laundering case on May 3.
