New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday (July 29) has upheld the Jharkhand high court’s June 28 decision to grant bail to chief minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. The top court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) plea challenging the high court’s judgment, terming it “very well-reasoned.”
A bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan observed that the high court’s finding that Soren was not guilty of money laundering was based on valid reasons, Live Law reported.
The ED had objected to the high court’s disbelieving of witness statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
“In our opinion, it is a very well-reasoned order,” Justices Gavai said, as pert the report.
The Supreme Court noted that the high court had given valid reasons for disregarding the statements and that there was no direct evidence linking Soren to the possession of the land in question. The court also observed that Soren’s name did not appear in the numerous registers and revenue records recovered from the accused’s premises.
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Justice Gavai was quoted as saying by Live Law, “Valid reasons have been given why they are disregarded.”
Further, as Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju sought to argue further, Justice Gavai mentioned, “We don’t want to observe anything further. If we observe anything further, you will be in difficulty. Very well-reasoned judgment has been rendered by the ld. judge”
Justice Gavai disagreed with the ASG’s claim of corroborating documents, pointing out that a thorough examination of the records seized from Bhanu Pratap found no incriminating evidence against Soren.
The ED had alleged that Soren was involved in the acquisition, possession, and utilisation of proceeds of crime and had colluded with others, including Pratap to conceal original records. However, the Supreme Court was unmoved and dismissed the ED’s petition, clarifying that the high court’s observations would not influence the trial judge or any other proceedings.
The case relates to an alleged land scam in Ranchi, where Soren is accused of unauthorised possession and usage of approximately 8.5 acres of property. The ED is investigating both this case and an illegal mining case, and contends that the property constitutes proceeds of crime.
Notably, Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31 this year. He was release after Jharkhand high court on June 28 held him not guilty in the concerned case.
