Hemant Soren: Jharkhand High Court Finds No Evidence of Money Laundering in Bail Order!
Ranchi, June 29, 2024 – Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has predicted a significant defeat for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming assembly elections, following his release from Birsa Munda Jail. Addressing Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) workers at his residence, Soren claimed that the BJP would be wiped out from the state.
Soren accused the BJP of orchestrating a conspiracy to imprison him, asserting that the people of Jharkhand would not tolerate such actions. “Time has come to put the last nail in BJP’s coffin. In coming days, the BJP will be wiped out from Jharkhand,” he stated emphatically.
High Court Ruling on Money Laundering Case
On June 28, 2024, the Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Soren in a money laundering case, finding no prima facie evidence against him. Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay’s court observed that Soren was not guilty of the charges, and there was no likelihood of him committing an offense while on bail.
Soren had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31, 2024, in connection with the illegal possession of 8.36 acres of land. He resigned from his position as Chief Minister following his arrest, and Champai Soren was elected as the new leader of the JMM legislative party.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Political Manipulation
Addressing his supporters, Soren alleged that the BJP had controlled all constitutional establishments but had been taught a lesson in the recent Lok Sabha elections. He accused the BJP of planning to prepone the assembly elections and challenged them to conduct the elections at any time.
Soren also criticized the BJP for naming tribals as Chief Ministers in several states, claiming that these leaders were merely “rubber stamps.” He expressed his determination to continue fighting for the people of Jharkhand and the tribals, despite the challenges he faced.
Support and Public Response
Soren’s release from jail was met with enthusiasm from his supporters, who gathered outside the Birsa Munda Central Jail, shouting slogans in his support. After his release, Soren visited his father, Shibu Soren, to seek his blessings.
Reflecting on his imprisonment, Soren said, “The five months’ time for the people of Jharkhand and tribals must be worrying. The entire nation knows for what reason I was sent to jail. However, finally the court has pronounced the judgement. I respect the court, but sometimes it troubles me the way the attempts are being made to suppress the voices of politicians, writers, journalists, social workers in a systematic way.”
Legal Arguments and Court Findings
During the bail hearing, Soren’s lawyer, Kapil Sibal, argued that the case was civil in nature, emphasizing that the land in question was non-saleable under the Chota Nagpur Tenancy Act (CNT Act) and could not be transferred, thus ruling out money laundering.
The ED had argued that Soren had used official help to take possession of the land. However, the court found no direct involvement of Soren in the acquisition and possession of the land, concluding that there was no “proceeds of crime” linked to him.
The court’s order stated, “The overall conspectus of the case based on the broad probabilities does not specifically or indirectly assign the petitioner to be involved in the acquisition and possession as well as concealment of 8.86 acre of land connected to the ‘proceeds of crime’. None of the register/revenue records bare imprint of the direct involvement of the petitioner in the acquisition and possession of the said land.”
Upcoming Assembly Elections
Soren’s release comes at a crucial time as Jharkhand prepares for its assembly elections later this year in November. His wife, Kalpana Murmu Soren, recently won the by-poll on the Gandey Assembly seat, indicating strong support for the JMM.
The political landscape in Jharkhand is set to witness intense competition, with Soren’s allegations and the court’s ruling adding fuel to the already charged environment. As the elections approach, the state’s political dynamics are poised for significant shifts, making it a pivotal period for Jharkhand’s future.
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