ED issues fresh summons to Jharkhand CM in money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh set of summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, directing him to record a statement in a money laundering case between January 27 and 31. This development comes on the heels of a recent round of questioning by the ED's team regarding the Ranchi land scam case. The central agency had conducted a comprehensive and amicable seven-hour interrogation of the Chief Minister at his official residence on Saturday (January 20).

During the interrogation, the ED team focused on inquiries related to an alleged "illegal transaction of a plot of land measuring 8.5 acres in the Bariyatu area of the city." The fresh summons indicates continued scrutiny of the Jharkhand CM in connection with the money laundering case.

Reacting to the fresh ED summons JMM Central General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya said "CM was already kept at the residence for 8 hours and ED officials interrogated him, after this long interrogation what else is left? Why is there a need of fresh summon?"

He further accused the BJP stating, "BJP is controlling this entire matterand playing with the intention of harassing CM Soren."

Responding to these allegations BJP spokesperson Pratul Sahdev stated that "the central agency is doing its job. During previous interrogation Heman Soren did not cooperate with ED officials and disn't give complete information, so ED has issued a fresh summon. If they feel it's a conspiracy, what can we do?"