The Supreme Court of India has stayed the ongoing proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate against Hemant Soren, granting interim relief to the Jharkhand Chief Minister in a money-laundering case linked to alleged land irregularities.
A Bench of the apex court passed the order while hearing Soren’s Special Leave Petition challenging the decision of the Jharkhand High Court, which had earlier declined to quash the criminal complaint filed by the ED. By issuing notice to the central agency and staying further proceedings, the Supreme Court has effectively paused the trial until it examines the legal issues raised in the petition.
The ED’s case stems from allegations that Soren failed to respond adequately to repeated summons issued during the investigation into suspected unlawful land transactions. The agency has contended that these transactions involve elements of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
In his plea before the Supreme Court, Soren has questioned the legitimacy of the proceedings and argued that the summons and subsequent complaint were unwarranted. The interim stay means that no coercive steps or trial-related actions will continue against him while the matter remains under consideration.
The ruling marks a significant development in the ongoing legal dispute, placing the spotlight on procedural safeguards and the scope of investigative powers under anti-money laundering laws.
