Hemant Soren files a police complaint against ED officials under the SC/ST Act

Accompanied by heavy security, ED personnel began interrogating Hemant Soren for the second time in less than a fortnight on Wednesday.

JMM workers are protesting against the ED for noticing the 10th summons issued to state CM Hemant Soren in an alleged land fraud case, at Morabadi grounds in Ranchi on Wednesday. (ANI photo)

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has filed a police complaint under the SC/ST Act against Enforcement Directorate officials over the probe agency's recent searches at his residence in Delhi. According to officials, Soren, who is currently being questioned by ED sleuths in connection with a money laundering case, has filed a complaint against the agency personnel at an SC/ST police station in Ranchi.

The police complaint was registered in connection with the Central Investigation Agency's recent search operation at Hemant Soren's residence in Delhi, news agency PTI reported, citing sources.

“An FIR has been lodged against some senior ED officials… we have received the application from the chief minister,” said Chandan Kumar Sinha, senior superintendent of police, Ranchi. However, the officer did not provide any further details about the nature of the FIR.

On Monday (January 29), ED searched Hemant Soren's house in Delhi and camped there for nearly 13 hours to question him in a money laundering case related to an alleged land deal in Jharkhand.

During the search, the ED – which investigates financial crimes – claimed to have seized Rs 36 lakh, an SUV and some 'incriminating' documents allegedly related to the alleged money laundering case against the Jharkhand Chief Minister.

ED slams Soren in alleged money laundering case

Soren is currently being questioned by ED sleuths at his Ranchi residence in connection with the same case.

Accompanied by heavy security, ED personnel on Wednesday began interrogating Soren for the second time in less than a fortnight.

Soren, 48, who is also the executive chairman of the ruling Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was earlier questioned in connection with the alleged money laundering case on January 20.

However, the interrogation remained incomplete on that day as he was grilled for over seven hours, an official said.

Soren is being questioned as part of a probe into a “huge racket of illegal property transfer by mafia” in Jharkhand, ED officials said.

JMM protests against ED action

Lawmakers from the ruling JMM-led coalition gathered at Soren's residence to express solidarity with the CM.

Health Minister and Congress leader Banna Gupta said Soren is cooperating with the investigation, but added that it is the duty of constitutional institutions to conduct such investigations “properly.”

State Agriculture Minister Badal Patralekh told news agency PTI that all lawmakers are firmly behind the prime minister.

Meanwhile, JMM supporters were seen protesting at the nearby Morabadi Ground and some other places in protest against the ED action against Soren.

“Our chief minister is being deliberately harassed by the ED on the directions of the Centre… We will resort to economic blockade across the state,” said one of the agitators.

The security personnel accompanying the ED officials are equipped with high-resolution body cameras to monitor the activities around Soren's residence amid the heavy police deployment there.

Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC are in force from 9 am to 10 pm within a radius of 100 meters at key locations in the capital, including the CM House.

(With PTI inputs)