A team from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrived at Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's official residence on Monday in connection with a money laundering case involving an alleged land fraud. However, Soren was not at home and left at midnight for an undisclosed destination, according to ED sourcessources.
According to ED sources, the crew arrived at Soren's house about 7 a.m. and was attempting to determine his present location. The ED claimed that the searches at his Delhi house were based on new information in the land scam.
Soren, who has already evaded the ED summons nine times, has been requested to confirm his availability for questioning on January 29 or 31, according to reports. The ED stated that it would contact him if Soren did not appear for interrogation on January 29 or January 31.
On January 31, Soren gave his agreement to be questioned by the ED. According to sources close to the Jharkhand Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Soren would be available for questioning by the inquiry agency.
According to sources, Soren has been looking into his legal possibilities and met with an advocate in the national capital on Sunday. According to insiders, he is likely to file a lawsuit to seek protection "against coercive action".
The ED contended that the searches at his Delhi house were based on new information in the land scam. According to the process, a statement is taken while the searches are being conducted. Because Soren was not present, the ED could not record his statement.
Later, a team of seven ED officials visited Jharkhand Bhawan to inquire about Soren's location. When the personnel of Jharkhand Bhawan was questioned if the Chief Minister stayed there, they said no.
According to sources, Soren left his home around 1 p.m. and returned around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Meanwhile, a team of four ED officials visiting Soren's residence questioned the Chief Minister's driver.
