India: Hemant Soren, Jharkhand CM, files SC/ST act complaint against ED officials
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The Newz Radar
Ranchi: Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of the western Indian state of Jharkhand, on Wednesday (January 31) filed a case against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, multiple reports in Indian media have said.
The development occurred as ED officials questioned the chief minister at his residence in Ranchi, the state capital. This is the second time ED officials have questioned Soren in the last 10 days.
Opposition parties in India claim that the Enforcement Directorate is used by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the Centre to target leaders who pose political challenges to the BJP. An action by ED thus assumes distinct political dimensions in Indian politics.
In Ranchi, orders under Section 144 of CrPC (Criminal Procedure Code) are in effect. Section 144 of CrPC prohibits the assembly of four or more persons in public.
The officials claim that there is a huge “mafia racket” in Jharkhand state that is involved in illegally changing ownership of land.
On Monday, ED officials searched Soren’s official residence. The officials have said that they seized Rs 36 lakh (USD 43347), an SUV, and some documents described in media as ‘incriminating’.
Hemant Soren and his party Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) have dismissed allegations against the Jharkhand CM. JMM said on Tuesday that action against Soren was “unconstitutional”.
Soren has alleged that allegations and actions against him were “motivated by political agenda” and were aimed at disrupting the regular function of his government.
ED officials questioning Soren have reportedly asked for security in light of huge protests when Hemant Soren was questioned on January 20. On that day, Soren was interrogated for seven hours.
There is speculation in the media that Soren will be arrested today and JMM is reportedly making plans for all contingencies.
