Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is allegedly missing after an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team visited his Delhi residence as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation related to an alleged land fraud case. The ED had issued fresh summons, requesting Soren’s participation in questioning scheduled for January 29. The unexpected development has raised concerns about the chief minister’s whereabouts and has prompted criticism from political opponents.
State BJP president Babulal Marandi took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim that Hemant Soren has been absconding for the last 18 hours. According to Marandi, media sources suggest that Soren, wearing slippers and covering his face with a sheet, ran away from his Delhi residence on foot late at night. The State BJP president added that Ajay Singh, a security personnel from the special branch accompanying Soren to Delhi, is also missing. Both their mobile phones have been switched off, leading to a search operation by the ED and Delhi Police. Marandi criticized the security lapse, calling it a gross negligence regarding the security of the chief minister.
The ED’s investigation revolves around an alleged “huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia” in Jharkhand. The federal agency had previously questioned Hemant Soren at his official residence in Ranchi on January 20 in connection with the case. Fresh summons were issued for further questioning on either January 29 or January 31.
Official sources have claimed that Hemant Soren is “missing” and cannot be contacted by the federal agency. During the search conducted at Soren’s residence, the ED seized a Haryana-registered BMW car and recovered some documents. The investigation has already led to the arrest of 14 individuals, including 2011-batch IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan, who served as the director of the state’s Social Welfare Department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
The ED’s actions have heightened political tensions in Jharkhand, with the ruling party and the opposition exchanging criticisms. The sudden disappearance of the chief minister amidst ED summons has become a focal point for political discussions. The BJP’s accusations of Soren’s absconding and the subsequent search operations have added a layer of complexity to the ongoing investigation.
While concerns about the chief minister’s whereabouts are growing, it is essential to await official statements and updates from law enforcement agencies. The case underscores the broader issue of corruption and illegal activities in land transactions, raising questions about the involvement of political figures. As investigations unfold, the political landscape in Jharkhand may witness further developments, impacting the state’s governance and public perception.
The ED’s pursuit of individuals involved in the alleged land fraud case signals a commitment to addressing corruption and criminal activities. However, the manner in which the investigation unfolds, especially concerning the chief minister, will have significant implications for the state’s political dynamics. As the situation develops, clarity on Soren’s status and the outcome of the ED’s inquiries will shape the narrative around governance and accountability in Jharkhand.
