Jharkhand High Court Grants Bail to Ex-CM Hemant Soren
The Jharkhand High Court granted bail to former Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case involving the illegal holding of 8.36 acres of land. Soren is anticipated to be released from jail shortly, as there are no other current cases against him.
Background to the Case
Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 after resigning as Chief Minister of Jharkhand. Champai Soren, a party supporter and state transport minister, was appointed to succeed him upon his resignation. The issue arises from the arrest of Bhanu Pratap Prasad, a land revenue inspector from the Badhgaain district, in 2023. Prasad was allegedly involved in a land-grab conspiracy that altered original land records.
Investigation and Charges
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has been investigating a number of crimes in Jharkhand, including illegal mining, an MGNREGA fraud from 2009, and the alleged illegal sale and acquisition of an Army site in Ranchi. Bhanu Pratap Prasad’s involvement was discovered as part of the Army land case probe. Prasad was discovered to be the custodian of multiple original land registers, known as Panji 2, in which land ownership information was manipulated.
The ED claimed that Prasad was part of a group that illegally obtained properties by force and falsified official records. Soren was accused of conniving with Prasad to seize properties. The ED said that proof of the fraudulently obtained properties was discovered on Prasad’s cell phone, including information of financial transactions and illegal benefits.
Defense and Court Decisions
Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren has continually refuted the claims, alleging that the land was falsely alleged to be his. He claimed that the plot in question was ‘Bhuinhari’ land, which according to the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act cannot be transferred to anyone.
On Friday, the Jharkhand High Court granted Soren bail, determining that there was insufficient evidence to continue holding him in custody. With no other cases pending, Soren is anticipated to be released from jail soon.
Implications and Next Steps
The court’s decision to give bail to Soren marks a fundamental shift in Jharkhand’s political environment. The case drew widespread attention to the subject of land grabbing and fabrication of land records in the state. The ED’s investigations are ongoing, and it is unclear how this would affect other cases and individuals implicated.
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Source: Indian Express