ED team stationed at Soren’s Delhi house; BJP alleges evasion
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren characterized the ED’s demand to re-record his statement by January 31 as suggestive of malicious intent.
Jharkhand’s Chief Minister, Hemant Soren, has alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is driven by a political agenda. This accusation comes as he agrees to provide his statement on January 31 regarding an investigation into an alleged land scam. The contents of Soren’s email to the ED came to light as agency officials visited the CM’s residence in the nation’s capital.
As per ANI reports, officials from the ED are currently at Soren’s residence in Delhi. Soren criticized the agency, alleging that their actions are driven by a “political agenda.” He expressed his belief that the ED’s demand to re-record his statement by January 31 indicates malicious intent.
PTI quoted Soren’s email, in which he requested the preservation of the seven-hour questioning video from January 20 to be presented in a Court of Law. He also confirmed his agreement to provide his statement on January 31 at 1 pm, to be conducted at his residence.
JMM protests across Jharkhand:
JMM, the party led by Soren, organized protests against the ED’s summons to the chief minister. Hundreds of JMM supporters gathered along Dimna Chowk in Jamshedpur and various other locations in the state, disrupting road traffic.
In the state capital Ranchi, a large rally was conducted by JMM members, who accused the ED of targeting Soren, who also serves as the party’s executive president.
“The CM is currently in Delhi for personal reasons and will return soon. However, the actions of the ED are unwarranted and unconstitutional. It appears to be driven by political motives,” stated JMM’s general secretary and spokesperson, Supriyo Bhattacharya, to PTI.
‘Constitutional crisis in state’: BJP
The BJP has alleged that Soren has been absent from his residence in Delhi for the past 18 hours, purportedly to evade potential action by the ED. Soren departed from Ranchi for Delhi during the night of January 27.
Babulal Marandi, the president of Jharkhand BJP, stated in a post on X that according to media reports, late at night, Hemant ji purportedly fled from his Delhi residence on foot, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet. Ajay Singh, a security personnel from the special branch who accompanied him to Delhi, is also reported missing.
“Both of their mobile phones have been switched off. Since then, the ED and Delhi Police have been searching for them. Such negligence regarding the security of the chief minister is unprecedented,” Marandi added.
Marandi expressed that if this news is true, it indicates a “constitutional crisis” for Jharkhand. He urged the governor to take notice of the situation.
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