A court in Ranchi has directed Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to appear in person on September 21 in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam.
Soren has been accused of illegally purchasing 8.86 acres of tribal land in the Bargain area using forged documents, and of being involved in financial irregularities connected to the transaction.
In the same matter, he was arrested on January 31, 2024, and resigned as chief minister the same day. He was later released on bail on June 28, 2024. The court also rejected his plea seeking discharge from the case and a stay on the proceedings.
On September 19, the court was scheduled to record charges in the Enforcement Directorate’s money-laundering probe. Soren’s counsel appeared and sought an adjournment, citing work commitments and stating that Soren could not be present.
After considering the request, the court ordered Soren to appear at 4 pm on September 21 before the special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Ranchi.
