Money Laundering case: Supreme Court to hear Hemant Soren’s plea against ED arrest on May 17, 2024

On May 13, 2024 (Monday), the Supreme Court (SC) of India issued notice to the ED (Enforcement Directorate) on the petition filed by former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren challenging his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case. He was arrested by the ED on January 31, 2024, in connection with an alleged land scam. The bench constituting Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta posted the matter for hearing on May 17, 2024, after persuasion by Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for Hemant Soren. 

During the proceedings today, the SC bench initially asked the SA to list the matter in July or during summer vacation whereas SA Sibal insisted on an early hearing on account of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. The SC bench then posted the matter for hearing in the week commencing on May 20. SA Sibal expressed disappointment and said, “Your lordships may dismiss then, elections will be over. This is not fair! Look how we were treated by HC.” Justice Khanna remarked, that if Soren makes a case then he would be able to come out of jail to which SA Sibal replied, “That is not the point, whether I am out or not. I am going to be out. I know. But that is not the point. The whole purpose is the elections.”

The SC bench listed the matter for hearing on May 17, 2024, the last day before summer vacations.