The Lokpal on Monday ordered the CBI to probe within six months two properties belonging to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) president Shibu Soren under The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013. The direction came while disposing of a complaint filed on August 5, 2020, by the MP of a rival political party. The complainant had urged the Lokpal to investigate “57 properties” in Ranchi, Dhanbad, Dumka, and other places belonging to former Jharkhand CM Shibu Soren. The Lokpal had asked the CBI to conduct a preliminary enquiry (PE) after which the agency mentioned 82 properties, allegedly linked to the Sorens. Since all other properties, barring two, were acquired beyond the period of limitation of seven years i.e after the expiry of seven years from the date on which the alleged offence had been committed, the Lokpal Monday ordered to investigate only two properties. However, the Lokpal ordered that the CBI is at liberty to take ‘necessary action’ at their level. It also ordered: “.we make it clear that regarding the 80-odd properties, acquired by the RPS (Respondent Public Servant Shibu Soren) and his family members prior to 7 years from the date of complaint…and not covered by this order by virtue of limitation imposed under Section 53 of the Act, but admittedly coming within the purview of PC Act, the complainant is at liberty to pursue his complaint with the competent authority.” While the Lokpal proceedings were ongoing, the Delhi High Court had granted a stay on the Lokpal’s proceedings in September 2022 based on a plea by Shibu Soren. Later the single bench of the High Court refused to interfere with the proceedings initiated against the Lokpal of India. Shibu Soren appealed the single bench’s order, however, on February 20 this year, a division bench dismissed the appeal. In Monday’s order, the division bench of the Lokpal led by Justice Abhilasha Kumari, wrote: “To us (it) appears to be an anomalous and ironical situation, where in spite of the fact that the RPS (Shibu) and his family members have indulged in acquiring a plethora of prime properties in different parts of Jharkhand, often at unreasonably low prices, he escapes scrutiny of the Lokpal due to this legal position. Be that as it may, we focus on the two properties…because these are not hit by the period of limitation of seven years.” The Lokpal asked for progress reports to be filed monthly and the first before April 30, 2024.
