ED Arrest
Supreme Court asks Hemant Soren to approach HC with his plea against ED arrest
New Delhi/IBNS: Refusing to entertain his plea, the Supreme Court on Friday asked former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to approach the High Court with his petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case, media reports said.
Soren was represented by lawyers Kapil Sibal and Abhishek Manu Singhvi before a bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday evening formally arrested Chief Minister Hemant Soren, minutes after quitting the top post.
Soren has resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand amid questioning by the ED in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land deal in Jharkhand.
Transport Minister Champai Soren, one of the veteran leaders of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, will step into his shoes. He will take the oath on Friday.
Hemant Soren was taken into custody in connection with an alleged land scam, minutes after meeting the Governor and handing in his resignation.
According to reports, he had discussed the matter with the officials, declaring that he would sign the arrest memo only after stepping down. The ED Officials then took him to meet the Governor.
A Chief Minister can be arrested under the anti-money laundering rules if he evades summons thrice.
After reaching the Chief Minister's residence, the ED officials recorded Soren's statement.
Earlier on January 20, the Chief Minister was grilled by the ED for seven hours at his residence.
After this, the ED wrote to Soren again on January 22, asking him to record the statement between January 27-31.
Following this, the Chief Minister, on January 25, indirectly refused to give time to the ED for questioning.
Then, on January 29, the Chief Minister wrote to the ED accusing it of being "politically motivated" and preventing the elected government from working.
Soren later sent an email to the ED agreeing to record his statement at his residence on January 31. He summoned the central agency to his residence at 1 p.m. on Wednesday to record his statement.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in Ranchi, including the Chief Minister's residence.
Soren has claimed that he is being targeted as a part of a huge conspiracy.
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