former-jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-charged-in-8-5-acre-land-grab-ed-files-5500-page-charge-sheet

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and several associates have been charged in a money laundering case involving the alleged forceful acquisition of an 8.5-acre land plot in a prestigious area of Ranchi, according to a 5,500-page Prosecution Complaint (charge sheet) filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday.

Officials from the agency arrived at the court around 4:30 PM with a box containing the extensive (5500 pages) documentation, which was presented to the court. The ED's investigation focused on the illegal purchase and sale of 8.5 acres land in the Bargain area of Ranchi, along with allegations of misappropriation of other properties.

The charge sheet reportedly names Hemant Soren, along with his friend architect Vinod Singh, Revenue inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Hilarious Kacchap, and Rajkumar Pahan, citing their involvement in the case.

Sources suggest that the charge sheet contains compelling evidence related to the acquisition of the valuable land, which led to Hemant Soren's arrest by the agency. Soren was taken into custody on January 31, 2024, from the Chief Minister's official residence following an extensive interrogation. Prior to his arrest, Soren had resigned from his position as Chief Minister.

Currently held at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi under judicial custody, Soren faces accusations of securing the 8.5-acre land in the Badgain area through document manipulation.