An Enforcement Directorate team visited Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s Delhi home on Monday in connection with an investigation into a money laundering case. The team did not find him there.
The Enforcement Directorate recently issued new summons to Soren, asking him to appear for questioning on either January 29 or January 31. This came after he underwent a seven-hour interrogation on January 20 at his official residence in Ranchi, where his statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Soren had previously skipped seven summons issued by the ED since August 14 and had agreed to the questioning when the eighth summons was served. He had travelled to Delhi on Saturday night.
The case revolves around an alleged land scam related to a 7.16-acre land plot in Ranchi. According to the Enforcement Directorate, the land was acquired through the “proceeds of crime,” involving the illicit sale of Army land.
Fourteen persons have already been arrested in the case.
In November, Soren had been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in a case relating to allegations of illegal mining in the state.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader has accused the Union government of conspiring to topple his government in the state.
“An Adivasi has become the chief minister with your support, with the blessings of Adivasis and Moolvasis. These people [the BJP] can’t do anything politically, therefore they are trying to do things behind a veil. Whoever tries to topple this government will get toppled themselves,” Soren said earlier this month.
