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Land scam case: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to record the statement of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Security has been significantly heightened around the Chief Minister’s residence and the ED’s zonal office in Ranchi ahead of the scheduled questioning.
Over 1,000 security personnel deployed, ensuring a three-layer security arrangement.Barricading outside the ED office and CM residence to manage crowd control.Traffic restrictions near CM’s residence during the questioning period.
The ED had sent a letter on January 13, directing the Chief Minister to be available for questioning between January 16 and January 20.In response, Soren informed the ED that his statement could be recorded at his residence on January 20.
The ED’s move has triggered protests by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and various tribal outfits.Tribal organizations organized a protest march in Ranchi, expressing support for Chief Minister Soren and opposing the ED’s actions.Posters and slogans during the march called for an end to the alleged harassment of the tribal chief minister.
The investigation focuses on an illegal change of ownership of land by a mafia in Jharkhand.
The ED has arrested 14 individuals, including a 2011-batch IAS officer, in connection with the case.Chief Minister Soren had filed petitions before the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court seeking protection from ED action, but both petitions were dismissed.
JMM had previously called for a nine-hour strike in Sahibganj district on January 16 to protest the ED’s summons to Soren. The ED has arrested 14 individuals in the case, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan. Soren had filed petitions before the Supreme Court and the Jharkhand High Court seeking protection from ED action, but both courts dismissed his pleas.
