ED issues summons to Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in money laundering case
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New Delhi: A summons has been issued to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), in connection with a money laundering case.
ED has formally asked Soren to participate in their investigation related to the alleged money laundering incident, set for August 24.
Earlier, on August 14, Soren received a summon from the ED concerning his involvement in a purported land scam case. However, he declined to join the probe by the central agency, saying that he was busy with preparations for the Independence Day celebrations.
“Your choice of the date of 14th August does not come as a surprise to the undersigned (Hemant Soren). You and your political masters are fully aware that being the Chief Minister of the state of Jharkhand, the undersigned is scheduled to hoist the national flag on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day of the Republic of India on 15th August 2023," Soren wrote in his letter, as quoted by NDTV.
"Preparations for the Independence Day function start from a week before and 14th August is an important day for the same when many meetings are pre-scheduled. The caption summons requiring the undersigned to appear before you on 14 August 2023, is deliberate and part of the design to besmirch the reputation not only of the undersigned but also the democratically elected government of the state of Jharkhand and the people of the state of Jharkhand," the Chief Minister said.
Soren further stated that the central agencies were targeting him because he is not aligning with the central government.
He also mentioned that he had previously submitted the details of his movable and immovable assets to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) during an inquiry involving his father, Shibu Soren, in 2020, as directed by the Lokpal.
Therefore, the Enforcement Directorate could access these details from the CBI if required.
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