HC to hear PILs against Jharkhand CM on June 23
The Hindu
PILs seek a probe into shell companies allegedly operated by people close to Hemant Soren to launder money and the issuance of mining lease in his name
A division bench of the Jharkhand High Court on Friday said it will hear on June 23 the PILs seeking a probe into shell companies allegedly operated by people close to Chief Minister Hemant Soren to launder money and the issuance of mining lease in his name.
Hearing the PILs, the division bench of Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad expressed anguish over the State government's plea to adjourn the proceedings.
The bench observed that they are “intrigued” as on the one hand, the government is taking the stand that they have moved before the Supreme Court, and on the other hand, when the case is taken up, the counsel pleads for adjournments.
Additional advocate general Ashutosh Anand pleaded for an adjournment in the PILs that sought a "probe into the shell companies" and "granting of mining lease in the CM's name while being in office".
The High Court made it clear to the government counsels here that it will hear the matter on June 23 and by that time, either the advocate general should appear or if he doesn't due to ill health or otherwise, then some other advocate should be engaged by the State government.
The government filed a petition seeking adjournment on account of ill health of advocate general Rajiv Ranjan and senior advocate Kapil Sibal. Both Mr. Ranjan and Mr. Sibal are said to have contracted Covid-19.
Meanwhile, it had also moved the Supreme Court against the earlier orders of the high court passed in view of the two PILs.