RANCHI: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, issued a ‘final alternative’ by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) to report his assertion in an alleged land rip-off days in the past, has replied to the company, labelling his summons as ‘unlawful,’ sources stated on Tuesday. According to sources, the Jharkhand Chief Minister, in his letter to ED, has additionally stated that he has already given the main points of his properties. He has thus far skipped six summons.
“Soren has written to the ED in response to the summons issued to him, stating that the summons are ‘illegal.’ He has also accused ED of making the media trial of the whole matter. In his reply, he also said that he had already given the details of the properties. He has also accused ED of trying to destabilise the government,” sources stated.
Earlier final week, the ED issued the seventh summons to the Jharkhand CM below the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, asking him to report his assertion. As he had not turned up for ED’s six summons, this time the company said that it’s his final alternative to report the assertion.
“Since you have not come to the office of the Directorate of Enforcement in obedience to the summonses issued to you, we are giving you this last opportunity to record your statement under section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, at the place, date and time, mutually convenient to you as well as the undersigned (ED), which should be within 7 days of receipt of this notice/Summons,” stated the ED in its summon.
The company has requested him to specify the place, date, and time inside two days of receipt of this communication. “Despite the issuance of six summonses, you (Hemant Soren) have not appeared before this office, citing unfounded reasons. This non-appearance is impeding and hindering the progress of the investigation in the present case,” ED talked about within the summons.
The ED issued the sixth summons on December 12 for questioning, however the Chief Minister skipped the proceedings. CM Soren was first summoned by the ED earlier in mid-August in reference to a land ‘rip-off’ case. However, the CM ignored the summons, claiming that he was busy with the state’s Independence Day celebrations.
He was requested once more to seem on August 24 and September 9, however he skipped the dates, citing preoccupations. The company then issued its fourth summons to the Jharkhand CM, asking him to report back to the company on September 23. The CM had earlier threatened to maneuver for authorized proceedings towards the Centre if it didn’t withdraw the summonses issued towards him.
In his letter to the company, Soren stated he had offered all crucial paperwork and data to the ED. He wrote that if the ED wanted any data, it might discuss with the paperwork that he had already shared with the company. However, he alleged that the ED summoned him on August 14 on the behest of its “political masters.
