Backlash for ED; Supreme Court rejects petition filed against Hemant Soran's bail plea

NEW DELHI: Supreme Court has rejected the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) plea challenging Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's bail in the land scam-related money laundering case. The decision of the Supreme Court to grant bail to Soren, who was arrested by ED and imprisoned, was considered logical by the Supreme Court. The petition was heard by a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanath.

ED arrested Hemant Soren from Ranchi Raj Bhavan on January 31st. Soren had resigned as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand before his arrest. Champai Soren took over the position in February. High Court granted bail to Soren on June 28. After bail, Champai Soren resigned and presented a motion of confidence in the Assembly. After winning the trust vote, Hemant Soren became the chief minister again.

Jharkhand High Court granted bail to Hemant Soren, rejecting the ED's contention that there is a possibility of destroying evidence and repeating a similar crime if released on bail. At that time, the bench had also held that prima facie he did not appear to be guilty. ED has registered three cases against Hemant Soren, including one of land acquisition of Rs 8.36 crore with the help of forged documents.