ED opposes Hemant Soren bail in Supreme Court: ‘Trying to subvert probe’

In a counter-affidavit filed in Soren’s plea against his arrest and seeking interim bail for electioneering, the ED said, “There is an active attempt on the part of the petitioner (Soren) to subvert the investigation by misusing state machinery and to project the proceeds of crime as untainted through his stooges.”

While Soren had said he was not in possession of properties alleged by the ED, the agency said that materials on record “establish” that he “is involved in the acquisition of properties, which are proceeds of crime, illegally”.

Opposing his prayer for interim bail, the ED said, “Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) alone, presently, there are many politicians who are in judicial custody and their cases are examined by competent courts upholding their custody” and “there is no reason why a special prayer for a special treatment by the petitioner be acceded to”.

“Various statements recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002, which establish that property admeasuring 8.86 acres, situated at Shanti Nagar, Near Lalu Khatal, Bariyatu (in Ranchi) is under illegal acquisition and use of Hemant Soren and the same has been done in a camouflaged and concealed manner,” the agency said.

The ED said there is no fundamental or legal right to campaign for an election. It pointed out that the Jharkhand HC had upheld Soren’s arrest and his bail plea  had been rejected by the trial court.