Ranchi. Ahead of the ED’s questioning of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday, political activity has intensified in the state. A meeting of all the MLAs of the ruling coalition JMM, Congress and RJD has been called at the Chief Minister’s residence in Ranchi at 4 pm on Wednesday. Earlier, Congress Legislature Party leader Alamgir Alam called a meeting of party legislators at his residence. In these meetings, the strategy will be discussed in view of the political crisis arising out of the ED’s summons to the possible action by the Governor on the recommendation of the Election Commission.
Meanwhile, thousands of JMM workers from different parts of the state are gathering at Morhabadi Maidan in Ranchi. The party’s strategy is that at the time when the Chief Minister will be questioned by the ED, there should be a strong show of strength in Ranchi.
Explain that the ED has asked CM Hemant Soren to appear at the regional office on Ranchi Airport Road on November 17 for questioning in the money laundering case of Rs 1,000 crore through illegal mining in the state. Earlier, he was summoned for questioning on November 3, but he sought three weeks’ time from the ED citing his pre-scheduled engagements. On this, the ED gave him two weeks instead of three and issued summons for the second time and fixed the date of November 17.
It is being told that many big officers including ED’s Joint Director Kapil Raj are reaching Ranchi for questioning the CM. The ED has written to the state police headquarters to provide adequate security at the regional office and outside in view of this inquiry. Supporters of the Chief Minister and workers of the ruling parties may protest at the ED office. With this in view, the Police Headquarters has started necessary security preparations.
The ED has already arrested Pankaj Mishra, Special Representative to the Chief Minister, in the money laundering case through illegal mining. In the charge sheet filed against Pankaj Mishra, the ED has detailed the political patronage he received. During raids in Sahibganj in the mining scam, ED found an envelope from Pankaj Mishra’s house. It contained a checkbook linked to the Chief Minister’s bank account. Out of this, two check books were signed. However, the amount was not mentioned in it. According to the ED’s chargesheet, using political clout in the name of the chief minister, officials were prevented from taking action.
Besides Pankaj Mishra, power broker Prem Prakash and Kolkata-based businessman Amit Agarwal have also been arrested. Both of them have also given information about their relationship with Hemant Soren during interrogation. It is believed that the Chief Minister will be questioned on the basis of these facts.
Earlier, the ED had also arrested Jharkhand’s senior IAS mining secretary Pooja Singhal in money laundering through MNREGA scam. 17.49 crore in cash was recovered from the whereabouts of CA Suman Kumar associated with him. During the investigation, the ED had come to know that it also included the amount received from illegal mining. During the interrogation, the Chief Minister can be asked questions related to all these issues.
