1 Feb 2024 5:37 AM GMT
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has approached the Supreme Court challenging his arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in connection with an alleged land scam case.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, along with Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, mentioned Soren's matter before a bench led by the Chief Justice of India for an urgent hearing. CJI DY Chandrachud agreed to hear the matter tomorrow.
Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta told the bench that Soren has filed a similar petition in the Jharkhand High Court with the same prayers, which the High Court is hearing today. Sibal then stated that the said petition would be withdrawn from the High Court.
"This Court has to set out the contours of Section 19 PMLA...how can a man be arrested like this...it affects the polity of the country," Sibal said.
"It would be unfair to the HC because, at their request, the matter was kept today first on board and now posted to tomorrow," SG said. Sibal reiterated his undertaking that the petition at the High Court would be withdrawn.
Sibal contended that the petition raises serious issues of violations. In response, Additional Solicitor General SV Raju said that the allegations against Soren are also very serious. Soren announced his resignation as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand yesterday.