Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren ‘Absconds’ After ED Raid In Land Scam Case

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has reportedly missing since January 29, following raids by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at his Delhi residence. These raids are part of an investigation into a land scam case involving Soren.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), unable to find Soren at his Delhi house, has sought Delhi Police’s help to locate him. 

There are rumors that Soren fled his house in Delhi late at night, covering his face and on foot, along with a security officer, Ajay Singh. Both Soren and Singh’s mobile phones are switched off.

On January 29, around 2:30 pm, Soren left his Delhi house with his security personnel, and later, his scheduled flight to Ranchi was unexpectedly canceled. His BMW car, registered in Haryana, was seized by the ED from his Delhi residence, adding more intrigue to the case.

Soren’s party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, denies claims of him absconding and calls the investigation a political attack. 

They say Soren agreed to meet the ED on January 31 at his official residence in Ranchi. He even emailed the ED, stating his willingness to cooperate.

Soren had been in Delhi since January 27 for personal reasons, according to his party. However, the Jharkhand unit of the BJP alleges that Soren has been hiding for the last 18 hours due to fear of ED action.

Previously, on January 20, the ED questioned Soren in Ranchi. They then issued a fresh summons for January 29 or 31.

The drama intensifies as Soren is now untraceable (underground). His family and colleagues reportedly do not know his whereabouts. 

The ED, along with the help of Delhi Police, is searching for him. BJP leaders in Ranchi are considering legal action due to Soren’s disappearance.

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Hemant Soren’s party has been protesting against the ED’s actions, questioning the urgency and legality of the raids and the treatment of a Chief Minister.The ED’s investigation has caused a stir, with Soren being summoned seven times for stone mining and land scam cases.