Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren to record statement before ED on January 31 in money laundering case

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Tuesday agreed to record his statement before the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with an investigation into a money laundering case, The Indian Express reported.

The case pertains to an alleged land scam linked to the ownership of a 7.16-acre land parcel in Ranchi, which the central agency claims was acquired through the “proceeds of crime” involving illegal sale of Army land.

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader told the central agency in an email that its insistence on recording a statement on or before January 31 was “politically motivated”.

“You are well aware that the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly will be held between 2nd and 29th February 2024 and the undersigned will be pro-occupied with preparations for the same apart from other prior scheduled official engagements,” Soren wrote.

He added: “In these circumstances, your insistence to record a further statement of the undersigned on or before 31st January 2024 rocks of malice and reveals your political agenda to disrupt the functioning of the State Government and prevent an elected representative of the people from discharging his official duties.”

On Monday, the central agency searched the chief minister’s Delhi home and seized Rs 36 lakh, a sport utility vehicle and some “incriminating” documents, PTI quoted unidentified officials...

Read more