CM Hemant Soren to appear virtually for framing of charges in Ranchi land scam case
Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren will appear through video conferencing before the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi on Monday in connection with the Bargayin land scam case, after the court directed him to be present virtually by 4 pm.
The hearing is expected to take up the framing of charges against Soren in the case linked to the alleged illegal acquisition and transfer of 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi.
The development comes a day after proceedings before the Special PMLA court were deferred. Soren's counsel told the court that the Chief Minister was occupied with constitutional obligations and could not appear in person.
The court subsequently fixed Monday for his appearance through video conference.
The case concerns 8.86 acres of land in the Bargayin area of Ranchi. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has investigated allegations of forged land records, manipulation of official documents and illegal acquisition of the property as part of a money laundering case.
The agency has alleged that the land was fraudulently transferred in Soren's favour. Soren has denied the allegations.JHARKHAND HC REJECTS CM’S PLEA
While Hemant Soren braces up for framing of charges on Monday, the Jharkhand High Court on Friday rejected his plea seeking a stay on proceedings before the Special PMLA court.
Soren had approached the High Court after the trial court rejected his discharge petition on June 8. He had sought relief from further criminal proceedings while challenging the lower court's order.
The High Court's decision has allowed the proceedings before the Special PMLA court to continue.
A discharge petition is filed by an accused seeking to end criminal proceedings before formal charges are framed. Soren moved the High Court on August 31 after his discharge plea was rejected by the Special PMLA court.
The High Court heard arguments in the matter on September 16 and reserved its order before delivering the decision on Friday.ED CASE AGAINST SOREN
The ED case is based on allegations that the land was acquired and transferred through fraudulent means and that the transactions formed part of a wider money laundering investigation.
The agency has relied on material gathered during its probe, while Soren's side has disputed the allegations and the basis for continuing proceedings.
The Special PMLA court has already framed charges against several co-accused, including Antu Tirkey, architect Vinod Kumar Singh and 15 others.
The case involves more than 17 accused, according to the material provided. Rajkumar Pahan, described as the raiyat or landholder of the property, is also among those accused.
Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31, 2024, in connection with the land-linked money laundering case after resigning as Jharkhand chief minister.
He was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court and walked out of Birsa Munda jail on June 28, 2024. He has consistently denied the allegations against him.
Monday's hearing will mark the next stage of the proceedings following the High Court's refusal to stay the case.
The Special PMLA court is expected to consider the framing of charges against Soren, after which the matter can proceed in accordance with law. The allegations against him remain subject to adjudication during the trial.- EndsInputs by SatyajitPublished By: Vivek Published On: Sep 19, 2026 16:10 IST
