Hemant Soren denied interim bail to attend uncle's funeral
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was denied interim bail by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi on Saturday in connection with a land scam. Soren had sought a 13-day interim bail to attend his uncle's funeral. His uncle, Raja Ram Soren, was the elder brother of Shibu Soren, the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM).
Soren had sought relief from SC in money laundering case
Before his interim bail was denied, Soren had sought relief from the Supreme Court in relation to the money laundering case. Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Soren, complained about the delay by the state high court in deciding his plea challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31. Sibal requested an urgent hearing, stating that the case was heard and reserved on February 27-28, but no decision has been pronounced to date.
ED claims Soren as principal beneficiary in alleged land irregularities
Soren has been in jail since January 31, when he was arrested by the ED in connection with a money laundering case. The ED filed a chargesheet on March 30 against Soren, Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Raj Kumar Pahan, Hilariyas Kachhap, and Binod Singh. The agency has also seized 8.86 acres of land reportedly owned by Soren. According to the ED, Soren acquired the land located at Baragain Anchal on Bariyatu Road in Ranchi through illegal means.
