Supreme Court dismisses ED’s plea challenging Jharkhand HC’s judgment granting bail to Hemant Soren, ‘Very Well-reasoned Judgment’

On June 29, 2024 (Monday), the Supreme Court (SC) of India dismissed a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) challenging the Jharkhand High Court’s judgment granting bail to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case in connection with a land scam. While dismissing the plea, the bench of Justice BR Gavai and Justice KV Viswanathan opined that the HC’s judgment was ‘very well-reasoned’. The Jharkhand HC, in its June 28 judgment, clarified that records do not indicate Hemant Soren’s direct involvement in the alleged scam. 

During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju claimed that there are documents confirming the ED’s case. Replying to this, Justice Gavai said “On the contrary, there is specific finding that in all records seized from Bhanu Pratap, there is nothing implicating applicant (Soren).” While the ASG sought to argue further, the SC judge Justice Gavai said, “We don't want to observe anything further. If we observe anything further, you will be in difficulty. Very well-reasoned judgment has been rendered by the ld. Judge." 

After hearing the matter, the bench ordered, “We are not inclined to interfere with the impugned order. We clarify that the observations made by the learned single judge are relating to the consideration of bail and the same would not influence the learned trial judge in trial or any other proceedings.”