Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand and prominent leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) party, has been arrested by the ED on charges of corruption.
The arrest came on Wednesday evening after an intense seven-hour interrogation session at his official residence in Ranchi.
The ED alleges that Mr. Soren purchased a piece of land in Ranchi city through “proceeds of crime,” claiming that he illegally sold land owned by the Indian army to fund the acquisition. However, Hemant Soren denies these accusations, stating that the property was “wrongfully alleged to be owned” by him.
Following the arrest, Soren has challenged the charges in India’s Supreme Court, describing them as politically motivated. The matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday.
JMM leader accused the federal government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of using central agencies to target opposition leaders ahead of the general elections.
The ED officials reportedly issued multiple summons to Mr. Soren, who consistently refused to appear for questioning.
On Monday, officials reached Soren’s residence in Delhi, finding him “missing.” Subsequently, the agency claimed to have seized 3.6 million rupees ($43,381) and a BMW car from his house.
Soren later surfaced in Ranchi, pledging to record his statement before the agency on Wednesday.
Hours after submitting his resignation, Hemant Soren’s party announced Transport Minister Champai Soren as the next Chief Minister of Jharkhand.
Champai Soren, a five-time MLA from Seraikela, has a history of active participation in the movement for the creation of a separate state of Jharkhand in the 1990s, alongside JMM patron Shibu Soren.
Hemant Soren, undeterred by his arrest, lodged an FIR against ED officials at the SC/ST police station in Ranchi, naming four officials – Kapil Raj, Deovrat Jha, Anupam Kumar, and Aman Patel.
The legal battle intensifies as Soren challenges his arrest in the Jharkhand High Court, with the hearing scheduled for February 1.
Members of the JMM-led alliance attempted to meet the Governor, seeking a parade of MLAs to prove the majority. However, their plea was refused, adding further tension to the already charged atmosphere.
Cabinet Minister Banna Gupta stated, “We are requesting the Governor to allow Mr. Champai to take oath as Chief Minister, as we have elected him as the Legislature Party leader.”
The arrest of Hemant Soren has triggered a law and order situation in the State capital, Ranchi, as JMM workers held a protest march near the Chief Minister’s house and Raj Bhavan during his questioning.