Ranchi, Sep 19 (IANS) Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren did not appear in person before a special PMLA court in Ranchi on Saturday in connection with a money laundering case linked to 8.86 acres of land in the Bargain area of the city.
His counsel informed the court that the Chief Minister was occupied with pre-scheduled constitutional responsibilities. The court has fixed September 21 as the next date of hearing and directed Soren to appear either physically or through virtual mode at 4 p.m. on that day.
The proceedings in the special court resumed after the Jharkhand High Court on Friday rejected Soren's discharge petition, refusing to grant him relief in the case.
The High Court upheld the special PMLA court's earlier order dismissing his discharge plea, thereby clearing the way for further proceedings before the trial court.
Soren had challenged the PMLA court's order rejecting his discharge application and had also sought a stay on the ongoing proceedings before the lower court.
After hearing arguments from both sides on September 16, the High Court had reserved its verdict, which was delivered on Friday.
The case pertains to 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi's Bargain circle area. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating allegations that the land was acquired through illegal means and that the transactions associated with it involved irregularities.
According to the agency, land-related documents and procedural records were allegedly manipulated.
Soren has denied the allegations, maintaining that there is no sufficient direct evidence against him.
The ED, however, has contended that documents recovered during the investigation, witness statements and other circumstantial evidence establish a prima facie case.
On June 8, the special PMLA court rejected Soren's discharge plea, observing that the material available on record was sufficient at the prima facie stage to proceed further with the case.
The court had clarified that no conclusion regarding guilt had been reached at that stage.
The ED has filed a charge sheet against Soren and around 18 other accused persons in the matter. The special court has already framed charges against several of the co-accused.
--IANS
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