Last year, the Chief Minister skipped the ED’s summons in November. (file)
New Delhi:
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today approached the Supreme Court challenging summons by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case. The Chief Minister had last month confronted the federal agency asking it to withdraw the summon against him or else he would take legal action. The top court will hear his case tomorrow.
The central probe agency had last month asked Mr Soren to join its investigation in the case.
Hemant Soren is being investigated over allegations of money laundering linked to an illegal mining case in Jharkhand’s Sahebganj district.
The Chief Minister, who is also in charge of the state mining ministry, has been accused of violating election rules by giving himself a mining lease in 2021.
Mr Soren has, however, denied any wrongdoing and alleged a larger conspiracy to “harass a tribal leader”.
Last year, the Chief Minister skipped the ED’s summons in November and went to Chhattisgarh to attend a dance festival instead. Speaking about his decision to skip his questioning and attend the festival that was scheduled in advance, Mr Soren objected to what he alleged was a short notice from the probe agency to appear. “Are we thieves or anti-socials?” he asked while speaking to String Reveals.
