Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren denied interim bail in land scam case

The Special PMLA Court in Ranchi, on Saturday, declined to grant interim bail to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is embroiled in a significant land scam case. Soren had requested a 13-day interim bail to attend his uncle’s funeral, but the court did not accede to this request.

In a recent move, Hemant Soren approached the Supreme Court seeking relief from his arrest, which he claims is baseless. Represented by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, Soren highlighted the delay in the judgment by the Jharkhand High Court, which had reserved its decision on his arrest challenge in February. The urgency of the matter was stressed with the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, as Soren’s continued incarceration could affect his political involvement.

Justice Khanna of the Supreme Court indicated that the Chief Justice’s secretariat would address the urgency of the hearing, reflecting the high-profile nature of the case and its implications for both Soren and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), of which he is the chairperson.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested Soren in January, following allegations that he was involved in a land scam accruing vast amounts through forged documentation. The case accuses him of creating fake sellers and buyers to illicitly acquire valuable land parcels. Soren, through his advocate Pragya Baghel, has denied these allegations, calling his arrest “illegal” and “malafide.”

This ongoing case has significant implications for Jharkhand’s political landscape and raises questions about the legal processes involving high-ranking political figures. The case continues to attract media attention and public scrutiny, with potential long-term effects on governance and political accountability in the region.

The refusal of interim bail to Hemant Soren not only underscores the seriousness with which the judiciary is treating the case but also signals a tough stance against alleged corruption in land acquisitions. This case could set a precedent for how similar high-profile cases are handled in India, emphasizing the need for stringent legal scrutiny in political dealings.