In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a series of raids on the premises of close associates of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Ranchi. This move is part of an ongoing investigation into a complex money laundering case.
The federal agency specifically targeted Abhishek Prasad, also known as Pintu, who serves as Soren’s press advisor. The raids extend to 12 locations, encompassing Prasad’s residence and the home of Sahebganj Deputy Commissioner, in connection with an alleged illegal mining case.
This development comes in the wake of the ED issuing a ‘last opportunity’ to Chief Minister Soren to provide his statement regarding an alleged land scam. The ED had summoned Soren seven times under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. However, the Chief Minister, who had skipped the six previous summons, responded by deeming them ‘illegal’ in a letter to the ED.
Sources reveal that Soren, in his written response, not only labeled the summons as ‘illegal’ but also accused the ED of conducting a media trial on the matter. He asserted that he had already provided details about his properties and accused the ED of attempting to destabilize the government.
The ED’s latest summons explicitly stated, “Since you have not come to the office of the Directorate of Enforcement in obedience to the summonses issued to you, we are giving you this last opportunity to record your statement under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, at the place, date and time, mutually convenient to you as well as the undersigned (ED), which should be within 7 days of receipt of this notice/Summons.”
This ongoing saga began when CM Soren was first summoned by the ED in mid-August, related to a land ‘scam’ case. However, he ignored the initial summons, citing commitments to the state’s Independence Day celebrations.
The intensification of the ED’s actions and Soren’s resistance underscore a deepening legal and political confrontation, raising questions about the potential ramifications on the political landscape in Jharkhand.
