Page 13 - Hemant Soren

ED team visits J'khand CM Soren's Delhi house in money laundering case

An Enforcement Directorate team on Monday visited the residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money laundering investigation, official sources said. The sources indicated that the visit could be linked to his fresh deposition in an alleged land fraud case in which the ED had questioned him at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20. The agency had issued fresh summons to him last week asking him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, sources had said. The investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand, according to the agency.

After fresh ED summons, Jharkhand CM leaves for sudden visit to Delhi

Amid the Enforcement Directorate issuing a fresh summons to Chief Minister Hemant Soren asking him to join the investigation in a money laundering case, the JMM leader on Saturday departed for the national capital sparking off speculations regarding the sudden visit. His trip to Delhi came in the backdrop of the ED asking him whether he would be available for questioning on either January 29 or January 31. "The visit was not planned. The sudden plan was made after the issuance of a fresh summons by the ED. He has his scheduled events lined up including a programme in Chaibasa on January 29, in Palamu on January 30 and in Giridih on January 31," an official who did not wish to be quoted said. A source said he went to Delhi for legal consultations. However, this could not be corroborated from the Chief Minister's Office though officials confirmed that he left for Delhi. So far as known, the CM is scheduled to return on Sunday, said the source. Earlier in the day, Soren visited Raj .

Jharkhand CM Soren receives fresh summons from ED in money-laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam on Saturday

Jharkhand CM responds to ED's fresh summons, to reply in due course: Report

Earlier on January 20, the Enforcement Directorate arrived in Ranchi to question the Jharkhand Chief Minister in the land scam case

Soren lays foundation stone for Rs 5,000-crore private university in Ranchi

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of a Rs 5,000-crore private university in Ranchi. The Azim Premji University will be built on a 146-acre plot in Ranchi's Itki block, around 25 km away from the capital city. Interacting with Premji, the founder chairman of Wipro, who joined the programme virtually, Soren invited him to visit Jharkhand. Premji thanked the chief minister for the support of the state government for the project and said that this will be one of the biggest universities in the country. The CM said, "Currently, the biggest university campus of the foundation is in Bengaluru, which is spread on 110 acre. Ranchi's campus will be bigger than that as we have provided 146 acres of land for the project." Soren said that Rs 5,000 crore would be invested in the project in phases, and it would start functioning in 2026. The university will also have a medical college, a 500-bed hospital and other health-related institutions, besides a

ED asks J'khand CM Soren to record statement in PMLA case again this week

The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and asked him to again record his statement in a money laundering case between January 27 and 31, official sources said on Monday. The central agency recorded his statement for the first time in the case on January 20 after investigators went to his official residence here. They recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during the about seven hours they spent at his home. Soren has been asked to join the investigation again between January 27 and 31, and a Enforcement Directorate team will go to his residence like the last time, the sources said. The recording of statement did not finish that day (January 20), and hence, the chief minister has been asked to join the probe again, they said. The agency is understood to have put about 25-30 questions to Soren during the last week questioning in the money laundering case linked to alleged instances of illega

'Conspiracy against me': Soren after ED interrogates him for over 7 hours

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren alleged that a conspiracy was hatched against him after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) interrogated him in a money laundering case for more than seven hours on Saturday. Addressing a large crowd of supporters outside his residence where he was interrogated, Soren said he was not scared and would face the "bullets first". "A conspiracy was hatched against me, but the final nail in the coffin of the conspirators will be put by us... We will not be scared, your leader will face the bullets first and keep your morale high," Soren told JMM workers who had been outside his house since the morning, and refused to leave even after ED officers left. "I extend heartfelt thanks to you for your unflinching support... Hemant Soren will stand behind every party worker," he said. ED officers reached Soren's residence around 1 pm, and began questioning him. The investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in

ED continues to quiz Hemant Soren, Section 144 clamped near CM's residence

Sleuths of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) began questioning Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren at his official residence here on Saturday afternoon in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Soren, 48, who is also the executive president of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), had earlier skipped seven summonses by the ED. He finally gave his consent after the probe agency summoned him for the eighth time. The ED sleuths reached Soren's residence around 1 pm, an official said. The CISF, tasked with the security of the ED officials, are using high-resolution body cameras to keep track of activities around Soren's residence, he said. CRPF personnel have also been deployed in large numbers at the spot. Meanwhile, the JMM convened a meeting of its legislators at Soren's residence. "The ED is questioning the CM... We are also holding our meeting... Any strategy about the future course of action will be made based on the outcome of the questioni

JMM workers block roads, shut shops in Jharkhand against ED summons to CM

JMM workers took to the streets in Jharkhand's Sahebganj district on Wednesday to enforce the nine-hour district bandh called to protest the ED summons to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. Raising slogans against central probe agencies, the ruling party workers halted traffic and forced shops to down shutters in various parts of Sahebganj city and other parts of the district including Barhait, the assembly constituency of the chief minister. The ED had on January 13 sent a letter to the chief minister, asking him to be available for questioning in the case between January 16 and January 20, sources said. In reply, Soren told the ED it can record his statement on January 20. JMM's Sahebganj district president Shahjahan Ansari claimed that the bandh is being observed peacefully across the district with the cooperation of the people in the district. He said that the bandh has been called from 8 am to 5 pm. Emergency

CM Soren asks ED to record statement at his office in land scam case

ED had issued Soren the eighth summon on Saturday, asking him to join the investigation between January 16 to 20

Focus on infra, agri, education, sports in budget for 2024-25: Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday held a meeting with officials to review preparations for the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal. He directed the officials to focus on infrastructure, education, sports, industry, health, agriculture, electricity, water supply, road, housing and social security in the upcoming state budget. Taking stock of the preparations for the budget for the next fiscal at the state secretariat, the CM said that special focus should be given to villages, agriculture, farmers and youths in the budget. Strengthening the rural economy is the priority of the state government, he said. he CM added that a better budget should be prepared keeping in mind the priorities and aspirations of all the people. Welfare of the poor is the aim of our government. The benefits of state government schemes should reach the last person, he said. State finance minister Rameshwar Oraon, chief secretary L Khiyangte and other senior officials were also present in the ..

ED raids Jharkhand CM's press advisor, others in 'illegal mining case'

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday raided the premises of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's press advisor, the officials of Sahibganj district and a former MLA as part of a money laundering probe into alleged illegal mining in the state, official sources said. About a dozen locations in the state, including in state capital Ranchi and a premise in Rajasthan, are being raided by the central agency under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The premises of press advisor Abhishek Prasad alias Pintu, the collector of Sahibganj district, ex-MLA Pappu Yadav, an architect, some jail department officials and a police constable are being searched by the agency officials, sources said. An armed escort of central security forces went along with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials. Prasad has been questioned by the ED in this case earlier. Sources said the action was undertaken on the receipt of fresh inputs in the case. The raids com

ED raids Jharkhand CM Soren's associates in alleged money laundering case

The agency, since 2022, has been probing a trail of Rs 100 crore of "proceeds of crime" generated from illegal mining operations in the state

Given last opportunity by ED, Jharkhand CM calls summons 'illegal': Reports

According to sources, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, in his letter to ED, has also said that he has already given the details of his properties. He has so far skipped six summons

Jharkhand's over 25K FPS dealers join nation-wide 'Ration Bandh' agitation

Over 25,000 fair price shop dealers from Jharkhand on Monday joined the nation-wide indefinite 'Ration Bandh' call given by All India Fair Price Shop Dealers' Federation (AIFPSDF). The strike might impact over 65 lakh beneficiaries covered under national and state food security schemes in Jharkhand, if it goes long, an office bearer of the dealer association said. General secretary of Jharkhand unit of Fair Price Shop Dealers Association (FPSDA) Sanjay Kundu told PTI that the 'Ration Bandh' call has been given in protest against the Central Government's failure to ensure a minimum monthly income guarantee for the dealers and some other issues. "The agitation has been called to press for various demands of the FPS dealers such as ensuring minimum monthly income guarantee of Rs 50,000 for dealers, implementing the recommendations of World Food Program and allowing distribution through e-PoS device by inserting aadhaar number of the cardholders in case of emergency," he said. Kundu sa

Raids, cash hauls, political turmoil jeopardise Jharkhand's journey in 2023

It was a power-packed year for Jharkhand with high-profile arrests, political turmoil, searches and raids, cash hauls, deaths and gunfights between Naxals and security forces. The year began tumultuously with the Jain community and Santhal tribes staking claim over 'Parasnath' or 'Hill deity Marang Buru'. Chief Minister Hemant Soren remained in the news throughout the year for skipping as many as six summons by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged land and illegal mining scam. The year was saw the arrest of IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan. On a positive note, the year saw implementation of an outreach scheme aimed at delivering benefits of government schemes to people, benefiting 58 lakh people. Players from the state performed well in national and international events. The government's crackdown on Maoists was severe. In all, 397 Maoists were arrested, nine killed, and 26 surrendered to security forces. Security forces also managed to free 'Budha Pahad' in Garhwa and Latehar in ..

Money laundering case: ED writes to Jharkhand CM seeking his availability

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a letter-cum-summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking his availability for questioning in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam, official sources said on Saturday. Soren, 48, has been asked by the central agency to inform the investigating officer of the case about the date, venue and time of his choice so that his statement can be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), they said. The agency has sought a response from the chief minister by December 31, failing which it will initiate further legal action under the provisions of the anti-money laundering law. This is the seventh notice or summons issued to Soren but he has never deposed before the ED. The first was issued for August 14. He had filed a petition before the Supreme Court and then the Jharkhand High Court seeking protection from the ED action and terming the summons "unwarranted". Both the courts had dismissed his ...

Tribals, Dalits will be eligible for pension on reaching 50 years: CM Soren

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday announced that tribals and Dalits in the state will be eligible for pension benefits on reaching the age of 50 years. Soren made the announcement while addressing a function on Ranchi's Morabadi ground organised to mark the completion of four years of the JMM-led government in the state. "The government has decided to provide pension benefits to tribals and Dalits on reaching the age of 50 years. The death rate among them is high and they do not get jobs after 60 years," he reasoned. Soren claimed that only 16 lakh people had received pension benefits in the 20 years after the formation of Jharkhand in 2000 but his government has provided pension to 36 lakh people, mostly those aged above 60 years. "In four years of our government, we have given pension benefits to 36 lakh people above 60 years of age, widows above 18 years of age and also physically challenged persons..." he said. Soren asserted that his government was relentlessly

Hemant Soren is neck-deep in corruption, behaving like monarch: BJP leader

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate summoned Soren in connection with the alleged land scam case

ED summons Jharkhand CM for questioning in money-laundering case on Tuesday

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren for questioning in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam on Tuesday, official sources said. Soren has been asked to depose at the federal agency's office here and get his statement recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said on Monday. The summons for the chief minister is for December 12, they added. This is the sixth notice issued to Soren, but he never deposed as he filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking protection from the ED action. The probe pertains to the ED alleging that a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by mafia was going on in Jharkhand". The agency has arrested 14 people in the case, including 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Chhavi Ranjan who had earlier served as the director of the state social welfare department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi. The 48-year-old