Today, the Supreme Court of India refused to entertain Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's plea challenging the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) summons in a case involving alleged money laundering.
The bench comprising Justice Aniruddha Bose and Justice Bela M Trivedi provided Soren with the opportunity to seek relief in the matter from the Jharkhand High Court.
In court, Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi asserted that this represents a clear instance of a witch-hunt
"Mr Rohatgi, why don't you go to the high court? No no, go to the high court. We will permit you to withdraw," the bench said. The matter was dismissed as withdrawn.
Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the ED, submitted that the issue is covered by a large number of judgments.
Soren has approached the apex court to contest the summons he received, requiring his presence at the federal agency's Ranchi office on August 14, where he would be asked to provide his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The 48-year-old leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha was subjected to over nine hours of interrogation by the Enforcement Directorate on November 17th of the previous year. This interrogation was related to a separate money-laundering case associated with alleged illegal mining activities in the state.
The central investigative agency is examining over a dozen land transactions, including one involving defense land. In these cases, a group of individuals, comprising mafia members, intermediaries, and government officials, is alleged to have conspired to fabricate property deeds and documents, with some dating as far back as 1932.
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