In a major setback to Hemant Soren, the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned him in an illegal mining and money laundering case.

On the 2nd of November, the ED issued a summons to Mr. Hemant Soren, for questioning in connection with the Prevention of Money Laundering case pertaining to illegal mining and extortion.

As per the issued notice, the ED asked Mr. Hemant Soren to appear before the ED officials on the 3rd of November, Thursday.   “Hemant Soren has been called to join the investigation for Thursday.  He will have to appear at our Ranchi office by 11 a.m. tomorrow,” read the summons. 

It is to be noted, the ED had recently filed a charge sheet before a Special Ranchi court against Pankaj Mishra, a close aide of Mr. Hemant Soren, Bachhu Yadav and Prem Prakash who are also said to be close to the Jharkhand Chief Minister.   

Furthermore, for the questioning, the ED also wrote a letter to the Jharkhand Police Commissioner, asking to make the appropriate security arrangements for the Chief Minister of Jharkhand.

Meanwhile, the ED is investigating the illegal mining case and conducted over 47 pan India raids in the past few weeks.   During the conducted raids, the ED officials seized an amount of Rs 5.34 crore, freezing of bank balances amounting to Rs. 13.32 crore, freezing of an inland vessel MV Infralink -III, registration No.- WB 1809, five stone crushers, two Hyva trucks besides the seizure of incriminating documents along with two AK 47 Assault Rifles. 

An ED official said, “He (Mr. Pankaj Mishra) exercises considerable control over the mining of stone chips and boulders as well as installation and operations of several crushers, set up across various mining sites in Sahebganj.  Proceeds of crime amounting to Rs. 42 crores acquired by Mishra have been identified till date.”

Moreover, further investigation into the illegal mining to the tune of Rs.1,000 crores is underway.

Stay tuned for further updates.

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