Hemant Soren

The high court had on June 28 granted bail to Soren, who on July 4 took oath as the chief minister of Jharkhand. S

With 46 MLAs (JMM & allies) the chief minister is expected to sail through. After the recently held Lok Sabha polls where 4, two each from BJP and JMM become Lok Sabha members and the expulsion of Sita Soren from JMM, the effective strength of the house stands at 76.

Within a week of his release, Hemant Soren has returned as the 13th chief minister of Jharkhand, even as the ED is expected to approach the Supreme Court with a special leave petition (SLP) against the Jharkhand High Court's order

The life of homemaker Kalpana Mumru Soren changed in March 2024 when she formally joined the JMM after Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in a case linked to alleged land grab.

The ED is likely to challenge the June 28 order passed by a bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay, stating that the court's belief that Soren is "not guilty" is erroneous and the accused does not satisfy the twin conditions stipulated by section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Leaders and MLAs of the alliance during a meeting at chief minister Champai Soren's residence here unanimously decided to elect Hemant Soren as JMM legislature party leader, they said.

Stating that the action against him is proof that the voices of the poor, tribals and farmers are being suppressed, he said the people of the state have seen everything and will make their displeasure known in the elections, likely to be held around November.

"Time to put last nail in BJP's coffin; saffron party will be wiped out from Jharkhand after the assembly elections," Soren told Jharkhand Mukti Morcha workers during an address in Ranch.

At present, most of the steel makers in the country import PCI coal and its demand is expected to go up to anywhere between 20-30 million tonnes by 2030, M Nagaraju, additional secretary, coal said.

Speaker Rabindra Nath Mahto administered the oath, with Chief Minister Champai Soren and other JMM leaders in attendance

"I extend heartfelt support to people for their unwavering support...I extend thanks to Disom Guru Shibu Soren Ji (JMM supremo), Hemant Ji...I will work tirelessly for the people. It shows INDIA Bloc unity," Kalpana Soren said after her win.

The court pulled up Soren for not disclosing the fact that a special court had taken cognisance of the complaint against him, leaving little room for him to challenge the validity of his arrest

A bench of justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma adjourned the case on the request of Soren's lawyer Kapil Sibal, who has been seeking Kejriwal-like relief for his client

Top court's bench was led by justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta have now listed the case for hearing on May 17, the last working day before the court closes for summer vacations.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta will hear the plea of Soren in which he has challenged the May 3 order of the Jharkhand High Court dismissing his petition against the arrest.

Original land records of ownerships are either tampered or concealed to facilitate unlawful acquisition/possession/use of landed properties,” the ED claimed

The top court says the challenge to the Enforcement Directorate arrest can be raised in a fresh petition against the HC judgment.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Soren, mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud seeking urgent listing of his plea.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Dutta indicated that the pendency of this case need not stop the HC from pronouncing their order in Soren's bail plea. The case in SC will now come up for hearing in the week commencing May 6