The Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has ordered the release of a luxury BMW X7 car that was seized from the Delhi residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in January 2024 during investigation into an alleged land scam.
The order was passed on September 25, 2025, by a bench headed by tribunal member V Anandharajan, which held that it was not appropriate for the ED to indefinitely retain perishable or depreciating assets based on vague suspicions. The tribunal directed that the vehicle be returned to its owner within six weeks.
The 2021 model BMW X7 is registered in the name of Bhagwandas Holdings Pvt. Ltd. The company had challenged the seizure, arguing that even after nearly 21 months, the Enforcement Directorate had failed to prove any link between the car and the alleged proceeds of crime.
The petition also pointed out that neither the company nor its directors had been named as accused in any prosecution complaint or Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR).
After reviewing the submissions, the tribunal observed that the ED had failed to present any concrete evidence connecting the vehicle to criminal activity despite multiple opportunities.
It dismissed the ED’s arguments as being “speculative” and held that the agency could not establish the car as part of the proceeds of crime.
However, the tribunal imposed certain conditions on the release of the car. The company will not be allowed to sell or dispose of the vehicle for one year, and it must maintain the vehicle in good condition during that period.
The tribunal also clarified that the ED would remain free to take further action if new evidence emerges in the future.
It is noteworthy that the tribunal had earlier, on May 22, 2025, ordered the return of other items, including digital devices, that were seized from Soren’s residence.
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