New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the ED’s plea challenging the Jharkhand High Court’s decision to grant bail to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case related to an alleged land scam. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren welcomed the court’s decision. Speaking to reporters in Ranchi, he stressed the importance of maintaining the rule of law and said that he was sent to jail on false pretexts, aimed at tarnishing his and his family’s reputation.
He said, “I was imprisoned as if I had fled with the state property… allegations were made against the Soren family in a planned manner.”
Earlier, a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan said that the June 28 order of the High Court was “highly reasoned”. The bench said, “We are not inclined to interfere with the relevant order.” However, the apex court said that since the comments made by the High Court were related to considering granting bail, it would have no effect on the hearing or any other stage of proceedings in the subordinate court. It said, “We think the single judge (High Court) has given a very reasoned decision. … We do not want to say anything more … If we say, you (ED) may get into trouble.”