Jharkhand’s former Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, faced a setback as the High Court here dismissed his criminal writ petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday. The court, which had reserved the decision on February 28, upheld its verdict, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle.
Soren had sought interim relief in a money laundering case from the Supreme Court, which had issued a notice to the ED earlier. However, a bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta listed the matter for the second week of May to hear Soren’s plea, indicating a further legal process ahead.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed that the Jharkhand High Court should pronounce its order on Soren’s plea challenging his arrest in the money laundering case. Soren had moved the apex court against the delay in the High Court’s decision and sought interim bail in the matter.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, informed the Supreme Court about the High Court’s failure to pass the order on Soren’s plea and urged for interim bail, emphasizing the urgency of the matter.
Soren’s arrest in January, amid speculation and media scrutiny, stemmed from allegations related to a land scam case. He has consistently contested the validity of his arrest, claiming it to be unwarranted and arbitrary. The plea, filed through advocate Pragya Baghel, underscores Soren’s assertion that his arrest was illegal and motivated by malafide intentions.
Despite Soren’s efforts, including appeals for an expedited hearing due to the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, the legal battle surrounding his arrest continues, with the recent High Court ruling adding to the complexity of the case.
