According to sources, on Saturday, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued a summons to Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, in a money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate asked the Jharkhand Chief Minister to become a part of its investigation in the alleged money laundering case on 24th August.
Earlier on 14th August, the ED summoned Mr. Soren in connection with an alleged land scam case. Mr. Soren, however, did not join the central agency’s inquiry, citing that he was busy with preparations for the state’s Independence Day celebrations. Soren, in his letter wrote, “Your choice of the date of 14th August does not come as a surprise to the undersigned [Hemant Soren]. You and your political masters are fully aware that being the Chief Minister of the State of Jharkhand, the undersigned is scheduled to hoist the national flag on the occasion of the 77th independence day of the Republic of India on 15th August 2023.”
He further said, “Preparations for the Independence Day function start from a week before and 14th August is an important day for the same when many meetings are pre-scheduled. The caption summons requiring the undersigned to appear before you on 14 August 2023, is deliberate and part of the design to besmirch the reputation not only of the undersigned but also the democratically elected government of the state of Jharkhand and the people of the state of Jharkhand.”
He further claimed that he was targeted by the central authorities because he is not aligned with the central government. Soren has also mentioned that the details of his movable and immovable assets have been provided by him to the CBI in an enquiry directed by Lokpal against his father Shibu Soren in 2020. The details may be obtained by the ED from CBI.
