On Monday, August 4, 2025, Shibu Soren, a seasoned tribal leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister, died at the age of 81. He spent more than a month receiving treatment for kidney-related conditions at Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram Hospital before passing away.
Apart from his long political legacy, his last declared net worth and financial details, revealed during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, have drawn public interest following his demise.
Net Worth Over ₹7 Crore, Liabilities Above ₹2 Crore
In his 2019 affidavit filed with the Election Commission, Soren disclosed total assets exceeding ₹7.25 crore. According to data available on myneta.info, the former Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch also had liabilities amounting to ₹2.24 crore.
ALSO READ: Shibu Soren: Legacy of Jharkhand’s Founding Father and Champion of Tribal Rights
The affidavit showed that for the financial year 2017-18, Shibu Soren declared an annual income of ₹7,05,090 in his Income Tax Returns (ITR). In previous years, he had shown ₹6,76,412 (FY 2016-17), ₹6,51,724 (FY 2015-16), and ₹6,52,584 (FY 2014-15) respectively.
Breakdown of Bank Deposits and Cash Holdings
According to the same affidavit, Shibu Soren had ₹70,190 in cash as of 2019, while his wife held ₹24.53 lakh in cash. They maintained multiple bank accounts, including:
- Punjab National Bank (PNB): ₹8,98,522 and another account with ₹45,252
- PNB Fixed Deposit: ₹52,18,298
- State Bank of India (SBI): ₹56,98,058
- Bank of India (BOI): ₹27,66,351
- ICICI Bank: ₹1,55,413
The couple’s combined deposits and investments came to ₹2,29,67,962 after they also made investments in programs like Postal Savings and the National Savings Scheme (NSS).
Extensive Land and Property Portfolio
Shibu Soren also owned substantial land and real estate holdings. As per the affidavit:
- Agricultural Land: Valued at ₹82,00,000
- Non-Agricultural Land: Valued at ₹1,94,60,500
- Commercial Buildings: Worth ₹1,38,10,500
- Residential Buildings (joint with wife): ₹81,55,000
These combined properties totalled approximately ₹4.96 crore. Despite his wealth, Soren carried a heavy debt burden of ₹2,24,53,216.
Educational Background: A Leader from Humble Roots
Shibu Soren just completed his matriculation, yet he was incredibly well-known in politics. He finished his education at Gola High School in Jharkhand’s Hazaribagh district.
His grassroots efforts, particularly in favor of the rights of tribal communities, earned him the nickname “Dishom Guru” (tribal leader), and they had a long-lasting impact on Jharkhand politics. Soren’s impact extends well beyond the numbers, even if his asset information gives a financial summary of his life. He played a key role in the establishment of Jharkhand as a separate state and in promoting the rights of marginalized populations.
Shibu Soren’s personal wealth story, which is being praised by people of all political persuasions, reflects his journey from a lowly tribal upbringing to the highest governmental positions.
Jharkhand is observing a three-day official mourning period in response to his passing, during which state buildings will fly the tricolor at half-mast.
