The Enforcement Directorate has issued a fresh summons to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with a money-laundering case related to an alleged land scam, according to official sources.
Soren has been directed to appear at the federal agency's office on December 12 and provide his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
This marks the sixth notice served to Chief Minister Soren, who has yet to comply, having filed a petition before the Supreme Court seeking protection from ED actions. The investigation centers on the ED's allegations of a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" operating in Jharkhand.
In connection with this case, the ED has already made 14 arrests, including Chhavi Ranjan, a 2011-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer. Ranjan had previously served as the director of the state social welfare department and deputy commissioner of Ranchi.
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, aged 48, had previously faced ED questioning in November of the previous year in another money-laundering case linked to alleged illegal mining activities in the state.
