Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren withdraws bail plea after SC refuses to entertain it

 Introduction

Hemant Soren was the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand. He withdrew his plea from the Supreme Court. The plea challenged his arrest in a money laundering case. The Supreme Court (SC) refused to hear his petition. This led to the withdrawal of the bail plea. The court raised concerns about the non-disclosure of key facts. The facts related to a Ranchi special court order. That order had taken up the complaint against him.

Hemant Soren had asked the top court for bail to campaign during the Lok Sabha polls. He faced tough questions from the SC. , the court highlighted that Soren’s lawyers had hidden facts. They had approached the court without "clean hands." The SC refused to consider his plea because he had filed two separate petitions. One challenged his arrest and the other sought bail. He didn't say that the trial court had already taken up the charges against him. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also opposed special treatment for Soren. They highlighted his influence and attempts to subvert the investigation.

Conclusion

In summary, Hemant Soren withdrew his bail plea. This happened after the SC refused to hear it because of missing facts. The case against him was from a money laundering investigation. The ED had raised concerns about his influence. They worried about his attempts to manipulate the proceedings.

FAQ's

What are the specific charges against Hemant Soren?

Hemant Soren

Police arrested former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on January 31. The arrest was for money laundering related to a land scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said Soren had acquired 12 nearby land parcels. They were in Ranchi. He also owned them. The parcels totalled 8.5 acres. A large syndicate involved in property grabbing obtained these parcels. The arrest came after seven hours of questioning. Soren’s lawyers had filed a writ in the High Court. It challenged the arrest's legality. But, the Jharkhand High Court dismissed Soren’s case. He denies the allegations against him.

How has this case affected Soren's political career?

Hemant Soren, an Indian politician from Jharkhand, has had a dynamic political career. Let’s delve into the key milestones:

1. Early Political Career:

   • Hemant Soren began his political journey. He did it by becoming a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). He did this in 2009. He represented the Barhait constituency.

   • During the same period, he also served as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Rajya Sabha.

   • In 2010, he assumed the role of Deputy Chief Minister of Jharkhand and held the position until 2013.

2. Chief Ministerial Stints:

   • Hemant Soren has twice held the position of Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

     • From July 2013 to December 2014, his first term.

     • From December 2019 to February 2024, his second term.

   • His leadership during these terms has affected the state’s governance and policies.

3. Leader of the Opposition:

   • Between 2014 and 2019, Hemant Soren was the opposition leader. He was in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

   • His role involved representing the opposition parties and holding the government accountable.

4. Recent Developments:

• Hemant Soren faced an arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31, 2024. It was for a land scam case.

• Opposition parties see this arrest as vengeful. They blame the central government.

What are the implications of his arrest on Jharkhand politics?

The arrest of Chief Minister Hemant Soren was for a case of alleged land grab. It has had big effects on Jharkhand politics. Let’s explore these implications:

1. Identity Politics and Tribal Backlash:

   • Jharkhand is 26% tribal. Soren’s arrest has put identity politics in the spotlight.

   • The followers have renewed the call for "Sarna" dharma. It's the pantheistic religion of tribal communities in the Chotanagpur region. It has gained prominence.

   • The BJP has a Hindutva agenda. Now, it faces the challenge of addressing tribal identity and nature worship.

2. BJP’s Dilemma:

   • Leaders of the BJP from Jharkhand must clarify their views. This includes Tribal Affairs Minister Arjun Munda. They must clarify it's on nature worship.

   • The opposition has seized the chance. They claim that society has neglected tribal people. They emphasize that it's the "BJP that had jailed a tribal Chief Minister."

   • The BJP highlights its recognition of tribal leaders, such as Birsa Munda. It appointed Droupadi Murmu as its President. She is from the Santhal tribe and was the former Governor of Jharkhand. These actions are part of its counter-narrative.

3. Tribal votes and political landscape:

   • In the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 12 seats. The BJP won 11, and the All Jharkhand Students' Union (AJSU) won 1.

   • But the opposition did well in the Assembly election that followed. They won 47 out of 81 seats.

   • After Hemant Soren’s arrest, tribal votes may join the opposition. This is a hope.

In short, Hemant Soren's arrest intensified tribal identity talks. It challenged the BJP's stance and set the stage for a close political battle in Jharkhand.

Are there any legal developments in his case since the arrest?

Shreya

Let’s delve into the legal developments related to Hemant Soren’s case since his arrest:

1. Background:

   • Hemant Soren is the former Chief Minister of Jharkhand. On January 31, authorities arrested him for money laundering.

   • The case is about illegal land possession. It is about his alleged ties to the "land mafia"1.

2. Bail Plea Denied:

   • On May 22, the Supreme Court refused to grant interim bail to Hemant Soren. He had sought equality with Delhi Chief Minister it's Arvind Kejriwal. On May 10, the court granted Kejriwal 21 days’ interim bail to campaign during the Lok Sabha elections.

   • The court’s decision means that Soren stays in custody. This is during this critical election.

3. Legal Strategy Comparison:

   • Authorities arrested Arvind Kejriwal on March 21. It was in a money-laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy. He took a crucial step. He moved the Delhi High Court, challenging the legality of its arrest.

   • Kejriwal aimed to prove that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had no good reason to arrest him. This was under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He did this by challenging the arrest itself.

   • This approach allowed Kejriwal to go to the High Court and the Supreme Court. He skipped the slow process of seeking bail before the trial court.

4. Kejriwal’s Relief and Political Considerations:

   • The Delhi High Court upheld Kejriwal’s arrest on April 9. But, he got interim bail from the Supreme Court. This was while the case was pending before the top court. The case was about the Lok Sabha polls.

   • The court clarified that bail did not create special circumstances for politicians. But, it took into account Kejriwal's political status.

5. Soren’s Plea and Legal Hurdles:

   • The Jharkhand High Court dismissed Hemant Soren’s plea challenging his arrest on May 3.

   • Then, the Supreme Court considered examining the arrest's legality. This was after later events. They included the dismissal of Soren’s plea and the prosecution's complaint.

   • The court refused to hear Soren’s case, leading to the withdrawal of his petition.

In summary, Kejriwal’s legal strategy allowed for interim relief. But, Soren’s plea faced hurdles, leading to the denial of bail. The case remains watched during the ongoing elections. 😊📜🔍