Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren skips sixth summons from ED in land scam case
The Hindu
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren skips 6th ED summons in land scam case. Security personnel deployed at ED office. CM sent letter instead of appearing. ED issued notice to question in Badgai land scam case.
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on December 12 skipped the sixth summons of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a land scam case. Instead of appearing before the ED office in Ranchi, he attended the government programme Aapki Yojna, Aapki Sarkar, Aapke Dwar in Dumka.
Security personnel were deployed at the ED office and the entire area was cordoned off for the arrival of Mr. Soren. There was some commotion outside the ED zonal office when his cavalcade passed through en route to the State hanger to board a helicopter for Dumka.
It was only after this that a man arrived from the Chief Minister’s residence with a letter, the contents of which have not been made public.
The ED had issued a notice to Mr. Soren for questioning in the land scam case of Badgai area of Ranchi. While Mr. Soren had responded to the five summonses issued earlier — on August 14, 24, September 9, 23 and October 4, he did not appear before the investigative agency.
The last time he showed up for questioning was in November last year in the mining lease allotment case.
Mr. Soren had challenged the summonses from the Supreme Court to the Jharkhand High Court but he did not get any relief. He approached the Supreme Court after getting the first summons, terming it illegal. However, the ED issued him another summons, asking him to appear for questioning on September 9.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court directed the Chief Minister to present his case in the High Court. His petition was rejected by the Jharkhand High Court on October 13.
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