Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Files Complaint Against ED Under SC/ST Act

Ranchi: January 31, 2024, In a significant turn of events, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has filed a case against senior officers of the Enforcement Directorate’s Ranchi office under the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. This move follows the agency’s recent search operation at Mr. Soren’s residence in New Delhi, leading to speculation about his potential arrest.

Allegations of Harassment and Maligning Community

The complaint, lodged at the SC/ST police station in Ranchi, alleges that the Enforcement Directorate’s actions during the search operation on Monday harassed and maligned not only Hemant Soren but also his entire community. Mr. Soren, belonging to a Scheduled Tribe, claims that the search was conducted “uncalled for” and “unconstitutional,” especially in his absence.

FIR Against Senior ED Officials

Confirming the filing of the FIR, Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police, Chandan Kumar Sinha, stated, “An FIR has been lodged against some senior ED officials, and we received the application from the chief minister.”

ED Investigation and Political Buzz

Hemant Soren is currently under ED scrutiny at his Ranchi residence regarding a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Speculations about his potential arrest have been circulating, and his party has reportedly made preparations for such an eventuality.

Dramatic Operation at Delhi Home

The ED’s operation at the Jharkhand chief minister’s Delhi residence took a dramatic turn on Monday when officials, attempting to question him, could not find him there. The operation resulted in the seizure of ₹36 lahks in cash and a BMW X7, valued at over ₹1 crore. In his complaint, Soren clarified that he is not the owner of the BMW and does not possess any illicit cash.

Response to BJP Claims

The BJP had claimed that Hemant Soren had gone ‘missing,’ with Jharkhand party chief Babulal Marandi even announcing a reward for information on his whereabouts. However, Mr. Soren appeared in Ranchi on Tuesday, asserting that searching his home in his absence was “uncalled for” and “unconstitutional.”

Call for Legal Action

In his comprehensive complaint, Hemant Soren identifies himself as a “member of Scheduled Tribe” and specifies individuals, including Mr. Kapil Raj, Mr. Deovrat Jha, Mr. Anupam Kumar, and Mr. Aman Patel, along with “unknown others” and “all officers of the Directorate of Enforcement, Ranchi Zonal Office.” He claims intentional acts to humiliate him and calls for the registration of the FIR, citing immense mental, psychological, and emotional harm to himself and his family.

This legal development adds a new dimension to the ongoing political and legal narrative surrounding Hemant Soren. Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.