New Delhi, February 2 (press ki taquat bureau):
Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren faced a setback as the Supreme Court declined to consider his plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money-laundering case. Instead, the court directed him to approach the state high court, where his petition had already been filed and was awaiting a decision. This decision by the Supreme Court signifies that Soren’s legal battle will continue at the state level, emphasizing the importance of the ongoing proceedings in the state high court.
The three-judge special Bench, headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna and including Justices MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi, expressed their disinclination to entertain the current petition under Article 32. Instead, they suggested that the petitioner approach the jurisdictional high court under Article 226. The Bench acknowledged that a previous petition had been filed before the high court and was still pending. Additionally, another plea had been filed under Article 226 but was subsequently withdrawn.
The Bench emphasized that the petitioner had the option to amend their petition and also recommended that they request the high court to promptly resolve the matter.Justice Khanna inquired about the reason behind Soren’s decision to bypass the high court and directly approach the top court. He emphasized that the courts are accessible to all individuals and if they permit one person to do so, then they must allow everyone to approach the top court directly. The Bench firmly stated that they would not intervene and interfere in the matter, urging Soren to seek resolution through the high court instead.
The Jharkhand High Court is expected to address the issue at hand, as stated. Following his resignation as the chief minister of Jharkhand and subsequent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, Hemant Soren, a prominent leader of the JMM, has taken the matter to the Supreme Court. He has challenged his arrest in a money-laundering case, emphasizing that the timing of his arrest, just before the general election, has had a negative effect on the country’s political landscape. This assertion was made by Sibal.
