Ranchi
Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren will continue being interrogated by the Enforcement Directorate sleuths. A special Prevention of Money Laundering Court on Wednesday extended his custodial remand by another five days.
The ED had demanded for a seven-day remand for further interrogations. The central agency has intensified its probe as a part of which it is making the key accused in the case confront each other for substantiating its findings.
Hemant was arrested on January 31 late evening in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He has been accused of “grabbing” 8.5 acres of tribal land in the Bargai circle of Ranchi district.
The ED sleuths have also begun custodial interrogations of Bargai revenue circle inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad who allegedly played the key role during the alleged transfer of the said piece of land.
After the Supreme Court refused to entertain his petition challenging his arrest, the ED court had remanded him to a 5-day ED custody. Subsequently, the Jharkhand High Court heard his plea and has directed the ED to reply by February 9. The HC will then hear the matter on February 12.
With the PMLA court allowing him to participate in the February 5 trust vote, Hemant utilised the opportunity to openly challenge saying he would quit politics if the documents in his name are presented.
Earlier, during the time when Hemant went traceless in Delhi and appeared in Ranchi after close to 40 hours, the ED had raided his premises in Delhi and reportedly seized over Rs 36 lakh cash and a BMW car signalling that his arrest was imminent.
In his speech in the Assembly, Hemant alleged the Centre and the BJP were out seeking to finish him politically since they could not digest the fact that a tribal was riding a BMW, flying in planes and staying in 5-star hotels.
Meanwhile, Hemant’s better half Kalpana Murmu Soren called on him at the ED office while he was set to be taken to the PMLA Court. She gave him her good wishes on their 18the wedding anniversary.
Later through a post on X, Kalpana said that she was the proud life partner of a brave Jharkhand warrior who decided to fight back instead of succumbing to conspiracies. I won’t relent at this critical juncture and will become his strength. He would ultimately emerge victorious, she stated adding she would not become emotional on this ‘special day’.
Kalpana started handling Hemant’s X account from February 5, announcing it shortly after Chief Minister Champai Soren won the trust vote on February 5.
Interestingly, Hemant’s sister-in-law and MLA Sita Soren, who had gone on record that she would not accept Kalpana as the CM, also wished the two on their anniversary.
