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In the ongoing investigation into the Jharkhand land scam, the ED presented a significant piece of evidence before the court – 539 pages of WhatsApp chats between Hemant Soren and his close associate, architect Binod Singh. The chats, retrieved during the ED’s probe, shed light on not only the purported grabbing of government lands but also the manipulation of transfer postings by accepting bribes.
The ED claims that Hemant Soren, in collaboration with officers close to him, engaged in both the acquisition of government lands through forgery and the unethical practice of influencing transfer postings in exchange for money. The WhatsApp conversations between Soren and Binod Singh, as presented in court, allegedly contain references to officers, their current postings, and requests for specific transfers.
In one particular WhatsApp message dated 07-06-2020, Binod Singh is quoted as saying, “Make DC somewhere… No relation, purely commercial. Brother, till now whatever recommendation he has made, he has not taken even a single rupee from anyone. Yes, after the work is done, as per your order, but the request is please consider cases… I wish I too were a part of a small system.”
The ED contends that these chats demonstrate Hemant Soren’s involvement not only in the manipulation of government documents and acquisition of land through deceit but also in the malpractice of transfer postings while exploiting his official position. The revelation of WhatsApp conversations adds a new dimension to the allegations against the former chief minister.
In the latest development, the Ranchi PMLA court has extended Hemant Soren’s remand by five more days, following the ED’s request for seven days’ remand. The legal proceedings continue as the investigation into the Jharkhand land scam unfolds.
