Ranchi Update: ED shows up at Hemant Soren’s residence in Jharkhand to quiz him over a purported land scam.

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CM Soren had previously instructed the ED to record his statement on January 20 at his home.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s home in Ranchi, the state capital, was visited on Saturday by representatives of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for an interrogation about the purported land fraud. In a letter, the central agency requested that the CM be reachable for inquiries regarding the subject between January 16 and January 20. On January 20, Soren gave the ED permission to record his statement at home.

Seven ED summonses had previously been ignored by the Jharkhand chief minister and executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). He said that the central agencies were employed by the administration headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to topple his government.

Security was stepped up near Soren’s house to keep the peace ahead of the expected visit by ED officials, despite objections from JMM employees and a number of tribal elders. According to Chandan Kumar Sinha, senior superintendent of police in Ranchi, more than a thousand security guards were sent out to ensure a three-tiered level of protection.

Friday protests
Numerous tribal organisations staged protest marches in support of Chief Minister Soren. Kendriya Sarna Samiti, Kharwar Bhokta Samaj, Bharat Munda Samaj, Bedia Vikas Parishad, Masihi Samaj, Santhal Samaj Dishoom, Adivasi Lohra Samaj, Yuva Sarna Samiti, Bheem Army, Adivasi Sarna Samiti, Tetar Toli Sarna Samiti, and Karmali Samaj were among the organisations whose banners the protestors were waving.

What is this supposed land fraud?
In accordance with Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Soren had received seven summonses in relation to the investigation into possible money laundering associated with a land scam case.

The investigating agency is looking into two significant cases: a land fraud in the state capital and illicit mining.

In connection with the land scam case, 13 people—including two businessmen and an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer—have been taken into custody.