Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has received bail from the High Court in connection with a land scam case. “Bail has been granted. The court determined that, on the face of it, Hemant Soren is not guilty and there is no probability of the petitioner committing an offence while on bail,” his lawyer, Arunabh Chowdhury.
Read also:In test cricket, Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma break Pakistan’s world record
High Court Finds Lack of Evidence in Land Acquisition Case
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader was arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 on charges of money laundering. The ED has accused him of orchestrating a scheme to manipulate records through fictitious transactions and forged documents to acquire 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi valued in crores.
Given that there are no other cases against him at present, Mr. Soren is expect to be release soon. Bail grant upon payment of a bail bond of ₹50,000 and two sureties of the same amount each.
In its order, the court stated that “…the broad probabilities of the case do not specifically or indirectly implicate the petitioner in the acquisition and possession, as well as the concealment, of the land.”
Read also:Net damage: On the fisheries dispute, India and Sri Lanka
High Court Grants Bail After Ranchi Special Court’s Denial
The court also noted that “there is no likelihood of the petitioner committing a similar offence” and stated that the twin conditions for granting bail under the PMLA had met.
Mr. Soren has consistently denied the allegations against him and has accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party of orchestrating his arrest just weeks before the Lok Sabha election to undermine the opposition.
Today’s bail order follows setbacks last month, including the Ranchi special court’s denial of bail for Mr. Soren.
Read also:Biden and Trump Exchange Fiery Barbs in First 2024 Debate