In a significant relief for Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday exempted him from making a personal appearance before the MP-MLA Court in Ranchi in connection with a complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) over an alleged land scam.
The Chief Minister had moved the high court challenging an earlier order passed by the MP-MLA Court that required his physical presence.
The Enforcement Directorate had filed a complaint after Soren allegedly refused to comply with multiple summons issued to him during the investigation. According to the complainant, Assistant Director Devraj Jha, the agency had issued ten summonses, of which Soren appeared for only two, while the remaining were ignored.
The ED subsequently filed a complaint before the special judge of the MP-MLA Court in 2024, following which the court directed the Chief Minister to appear in person.
High Court Intervention and Stay Orders
Soren challenged the MP-MLA Court’s directive by filing a criminal miscellaneous petition before the high court. The court then issued notices to the ED and, in December 2024, placed a stay on the operation of the order that required his appearance.
As a result, his personal attendance before the MP-MLA Court remained in abeyance through the high court’s interim protection.
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On November 25, the high court vacated its earlier stay while granting an adjournment requested by the state government. This reopened the issue of Soren’s personal appearance.
However, during the hearing on Wednesday, the high court granted Soren relief by exempting him from appearing personally before the MP-MLA Court.
Sequence of Court Proceedings
The case has moved through multiple procedural stages:
- The ED issued repeated summonses, alleging non-compliance by the Chief Minister.
- A complaint was filed before the MP-MLA Court in 2024.
- The special judge ordered Soren’s personal appearance.
- Soren challenged the order before the high court.
- A stay order was granted in December 2024 but vacated on November 25 this year.
- Finally, on Wednesday, the high court exempted him from appearing before the lower court.
The matter continues to remain legally active as the ED is expected to respond to subsequent proceedings.
