Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam in the state. Hours before his arrest, Soren announced his resignation from the post of Chief Minister amidst political turmoil in the state on January 31, 2024.
Allegations and Evidence Against Hemant Soren
The ED initiated a money laundering investigation against Soren last year on the basis of several allegations against him regarding illicit land deals. He has been accused of being the key beneficiary of land acquired illegally through fraudulent means in Jharkhand.
The central agency has claimed that Soren used “proceeds of crime” from illegal mining activities to purchase several acres of land parcels around Ranchi city, the capital of Jharkhand. The ED further stated that these land parcels worth hundreds of crores were registered in the name of Soren’s family members and associates to obscure his direct involvement.
Over the past several months, the ED issued multiple summons to Soren regarding the investigation. However, he avoided appearing before the agency over seven times. This led the ED to intensify actions against Soren.
Political Drama Precedes High-Profile Arrest
On January 30, 2024 a team of ED officials reached Soren’s residence in Ranchi reportedly to arrest him. This prompted an emergency meeting of legislators from the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress coalition.
Fearing that the BJP may attempt to topple the government amidst political instability, Soren recommended dissolving the State Assembly and calling for fresh elections. However, this recommendation was turned down by the Governor of Jharkhand.
Subsequently, Soren tendered his resignation from the Chief Minister’s post on January 31, several hours before his arrest by the ED.
Soren Claims Conspiracy in Video Message Before Arrest
In a video message recorded prior to his arrest, Soren made several defiant claims alleging conspiracy behind the ED action against him:
1. Stated attempts were being made to turn Jharkhand into a “victim of political conspiracy”.
2. Claimed he had no links with the land deal he was being arrested for.
3. Expressed confidence people would back him in this “fight”.
4. Vowed to not surrender and to keep struggling legally and politically.
Soren Sent to Judicial Custody, Future Uncertain
On February 1st, Hemant Soren was produced before a Special Court in Ranchi after spending a night in ED custody. The court sent him to one-day judicial custody even as the ED sought a 10-day custody for further questioning. Soren has now moved the Jharkhand High Court challenging the legality of the ED action against him. The High Court is expected to hear his plea.
Meanwhile, a new government is yet to be formed in Jharkhand after the resignation of Soren. Although the JMM-Congress coalition has claimed majority support in the Assembly, the final call rests with the Governor. Champai Soren, a tribal leader from the Santhal Pargana region, has been chosen as the coalition’s Chief Ministerial candidate.
The recent developments have brought further political instability to the state which has seen frequent government changes since its formation in 2000. Soren himself was the Chief Minister on two past occasions between 2013-2014 and 2019-2024. With his arrest, he has now earned the ignominious distinction of becoming the first serving Chief Minister of Jharkhand to be apprehended by a central probe agency.
Background and Previous Allegations Against Soren
The 47-year-old Hemant Soren comes from an influential political family in Jharkhand. He is the son of Shibu Soren, the founder-president of JMM and a former Union Minister. Shibu Soren himself has faced several criminal cases in the past involving murder, kidnapping, and corruption charges.
Hemant Soren succeeded his father as JMM President in 2009 and became a Rajya Sabha MP the same year. In 2010, he was sworn in as the Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand in the BJP-JMM coalition government.
Controversies have followed Soren since the early days of his political career. In 2013, the BJP had demanded a CBI probe against Soren alleging his involvement in a “mining scam” in Jharkhand during his tenure as Deputy CM.
Later in his first term as the Chief Minister between 2013-2014, Soren had to resign after being disqualified as an MLA over allegations that he leased a mining license to himself. Thereafter, complaints of money laundering and illicit land deals have regularly surfaced against Soren though he has denied any wrongdoing.
The latest legal troubles for the Jharkhand leader seem far more serious with his arrest by the ED sparking a full-blown political crisis in the state. With Soren relieved from the Chief Minister’s post, the stability of the JMM-Congress government hangs in balance even as the BJP remains poised to seize any opportunity amidst the ongoing chaos.
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