In a shocking turn of events, Hemant Soren resigned as Jharkhand chief minister on January 31 and was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an alleged land scam soon after. Former transport minister and veteran Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Champai Soren is taking charge as the new chief minister.
Charges against ED and Soren’s legal case
Hemant Soren has filed a case with the Enforcement Directorate under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. He alleges that the ED harassed him and his community when they searched his house in New Delhi on January 29, saying he was not informed beforehand.
Soren, who is under the ED scanner in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam, insists searches at his home are “disproportionate.” The BJP claimed Soren had gone ‘missing,’ but he reappeared in Ranchi on January 30.
Restraining orders have been issued in key areas in Ranchi. A special team was monitoring the code and the orderly situation.
Timeline of Events
On January 29, ED officials conducted a search at Soren’s residence, seizing Rs 36 lakh in cash and a BMW X7 worth over Rs. 1 crore. The ED issued multiple summonses, with the latest asking him to appear for questioning on either January 29 or January 31.
As of 8 PM on January 31, the ED has been questioning Soren for over five hours. Legislators of the ruling JMM-led coalition, which includes the RJD and Congress, have expressed solidarity with Hemant Soren.
The state is yet to have a Chief Minister
After his arrest by ED, Hemant Soren, now ex-Chief Minister, submitted his resignation on January 31, leaving the state without any Chief Minister as of 1 PM on February 1. The ruling alliance has elected Champai Soren as the leader of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, with support from the majority of the members of the JMM.
On Jan 31, Champai Soren wrote to the governor: “I have been elected as the leader of the Legislative Party in the meeting of the Legislative Party of JMM…I have the support of 47 honourable members, which is more than the majority figure. Therefore, I respectfully request you to accept my claim and take action to appoint me as the Chief Minister.”
Jharkhand Governor, CP Radhakrishnan, has indicated his intention to revert to the JMM-Congress alliance. Members of the ruling alliance have expressed concerns about a potential “constitutional crisis” and fear interference during the delay in appointing a new Chief Minister.
Legal Challenges and Public Response
Hemant Soren has moved the Jharkhand High Court against his arrest by the ED and has also approached the Supreme Court to challenge the arrest. The Supreme Court bench, including Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, is set to hear the case on February 2.
In Jharkhand, several tribal outfits have called for a bandh to protest against Soren’s arrest, highlighting the intensity of the political and legal turmoil in the state. The situation remains fluid, with political and legal developments expected to unfold in the coming days.
