Jharkhand HC dismisses Hemant Soren's plea challenging ED arrest

• Jharkhand HC dismisses Hemant Soren's petition challenging his arrest by the ED
• The verdict comes after 66 days of the court reserving its judgment
• Soren moved to SC on April 25, expressing his concern over delayed judgment

The Jharkhand High Court delivered its verdict on Friday, dismissing the petition filed by former Chief Minister Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on money laundering charges linked to a tribal land in Ranchi district.

A legal expert familiar with the proceedings revealed, “Court had reserved its judgement on February 28. Thus the order came after 66 days since it was reserved.” 

According to the court's directive, Soren had approached the Supreme Court on April 25, expressing concerns about the delayed judgment. In response, the apex court issued a notice to the ED, seeking the agency's counter affidavit by May 6 regarding Soren's bail plea. The High Court was permitted to announce its verdict alongside. Consequently, the judgment was delivered eight days after Soren approached the Supreme Court.

Soren's advocate, Piyush Chitresh, confirmed the court's decision without delving into its specifics.