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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has unveiled compelling evidence in its pursuit of justice against former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and four others accused of illegally acquiring 8.86 acres of land valued at over Rs 31 crore. Among the arsenal of evidence presented by the federal probe agency are invoices for a refrigerator and a smart TV, procured in the name of individuals associated with the alleged landowner, Santosh Munda.
The ED, in its charge sheet filed last month, disclosed that receipts for these household appliances were obtained from dealers in Ranchi, solidifying its case against the 48-year-old Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader. These documents, coupled with Santosh Munda’s testimony as the property’s caretaker, challenge Soren’s disavowal of any connection to the disputed land.
Contrary to Soren’s assertions, the ED alleges that he orchestrated a complex scheme to exert control over the contested property, using individuals like Rajkumar Pahan as proxies. Pahan’s subsequent claims of ownership, supported by state intervention just days before Soren’s arrest, further bolster the agency’s narrative of illicit land acquisition.
The ED’s investigation traces the origins of the land’s ownership, revealing a history of contested property rights and alleged manipulation of official records. The agency contends that Soren’s involvement in the unlawful acquisition dates back to 2010-11, culminating in his arrest earlier this year on charges of money laundering.
Testimony from Santosh Munda detailing Soren’s visits to the property and the installation of utilities by other accused individuals adds depth to the ED’s case. The purchase of household appliances in Munda’s family members’ names at the property’s address serves as tangible evidence of their residence and further undermines Pahan’s claims.
The ED, relying on the aforementioned evidence, has pressed for prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Soren and his co-accused. The charge sheet, spanning 191 pages, outlines the intricate web of alleged malfeasance surrounding the acquisition of the disputed land.
