Enforcement Directorate summons Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren for questioning in “illegal mining” case

ED has identified proceeds of crime relating to illegal mining to the tune of more than Rs.1,000 crore in this case

November 2, 2022

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren under ED radar

According to sources, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to illegal mining and extortion.

The ED has also written a letter to Jharkhand Police Commissioner to make appropriate security arrangements ahead of his questioning. The court has already taken cognizance of the charge sheet.

“Hemant Soren has been called to join the investigation for Thursday. He will have to appear at our Ranchi office by 11 a.m. tomorrow,” the source said.

The ED had recently filed a charge sheet before a Special Ranchi court against Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Soren, and Bachhu Yadav and Prem Prakash who are also said to be close to the Jharkhand CM. ED had arrested Pankaj Mishra, Bachhu Yadav, and Prem Prakash. The accused are presently in judicial custody.

PMLA investigation revealed that Mishra, who enjoys political clout and is the representative of the Chief Minister, controls the illegal mining businesses and inland ferry services in Sahebganj and its adjoining areas through his accomplices.

The ED said that during the investigation of the case searches were conducted 47 times throughout India on several dates resulting in the seizure of cash amounting to Rs.5.34 crore, freezing of bank balances amounting to Rs.13.32 crore, freezing of an inland vessel MV Infralink -III, registration No.- WB 1809, five stone crushers, two Hyva trucks besides the seizure of incriminating documents along with two AK 47 Assault Rifles.

The ED initiated the money laundering investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Barharwa Police Station, Sahebganj District, Jharkhand under various sections of IPC, against Mishra and others.

Later on, several FIRs regarding illegal mining lodged under IPC, Explosive Substances Act and Arms Act have also been invoked.

To date, the ED has identified proceeds of crime relating to illegal mining to the tune of more than Rs.1,000 crore in this case.

“He exercises considerable control over the mining of stone chips and boulders as well as installation and operations of several crushers, set up across various mining sites in Sahebganj. Proceeds of crime amounting to Rs.42 crore acquired by Mishra have been identified till date,” said the ED official.

[With Inputs from IANS]

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