Hemant Soren Gets Bail in Land Scam Case

New Delhi: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister and JMM leader Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court on Friday, June 28. Hemant Soren is currently lodged in Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi on charges of money laundering through land scam.

The Ranchi High Court had reserved its decision on Soren's bail plea on June 13. "Bail has been granted to Hemant Soren. The court has held that prima facie he is not guilty of the offence and there is no likelihood of the petitioner committing an offence when on bail," said Soren's senior counsel Arunabh Chowdhury, as quoted by PTI. 

During the hearing, the ED's counsel SV Raju argued that if Soren is released on bail, he would commit a similar offence. 

Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with its investigation into the money laundering case, just moments after he stepped down from the CM chair. He had to resign following which his loyalist, Champai Soren, became the chief minister of Jharkhand. 

This comes days after Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was granted bail by the Rouse Avenue Court in the Delhi excise policy case. However, the ED later secured a stay on the bail order from the Delhi High Court following which the CBI arrested him in connection with the same case. But, unlike Soren, Kejriwal has not resigned from the CM post yet. 

Mamata Welcomes Move 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed  happiness over Hemant Soren getting bail. "Hemant Soren, an important tribal leader, and Chief Minister of Jharkhand, had to resign because of a case, but today he has received bail from the Hon'ble High Court! I am very happy with the great development and am sure that he will start his public activities immediately. Welcome back, Hemant, amidst us!," she posted on X.