In a significant development, the Supreme Court has provided major relief to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren by staying the proceedings in a money laundering case filed against him by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, issued an interim order halting the lower court’s actions while issuing a notice to the ED.
The court remarked pointedly during the hearing, urging the ED to focus its energies on high-profile cases rather than spreading resources thin. ‘We read in the newspapers yesterday that you have registered numerous cases. Concentrate on those and channel your energy into major investigations for better outcomes,’ CJI Surya Kant observed in a light yet firm tone.
This comes after the Jharkhand High Court upheld a special MP/MLA court’s summons against Soren. The Supreme Court took up Soren’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) and granted the stay. Soren had previously been arrested by the ED following multiple summonses he allegedly ignored. His counsel, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, countered that Soren had appeared thrice but was arrested each time.
The case originates from ED’s recovery of documents related to 8.86 acres of land allegedly belonging to Soren from one of his associates. This led to a PMLA case, with summons issued under IPC Section 174 for non-appearance. Soren challenged this in the High Court, which refused to quash the proceedings, prompting the apex court appeal.
The ruling underscores tensions between investigative agencies and political figures, especially as Soren remains in office amid ongoing probes. The ED’s lawyer highlighted seven ignored summonses, but the court prioritized procedural fairness. This interim relief allows Soren breathing room as the matter heads for detailed scrutiny, potentially reshaping the political landscape in Jharkhand ahead of key electoral battles.