Ranchi: A special PMLA court on Monday deferred the framing of charges against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case linked to the alleged illegal possession of 8.86 acres of land in Shanti Nagar, Bargain, Ranchi, to September 24.
The proceedings were deferred following a request from Soren’s counsel.
The case emerged during the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation into an alleged land-grabbing syndicate involving government officials and private individuals. The probe initially focused on the alleged fraudulent acquisition of land in Morabadi, Ranchi, before expanding to other properties, including the 8.86-acre parcel in Bargain.
According to the ED, the land had allegedly remained in Soren’s possession and control since 2010–11. During a survey, a caretaker reportedly identified the property as belonging to “Mantri Ji”. The agency also claimed to have recovered a file marked “CMO urgent” from circle office records, containing documents and handwritten references allegedly linked to the land.
The ED’s investigation also centres on Bhanu Pratap Prasad, then a revenue sub-inspector at the Bargain Circle Office. The agency has accused him of being part of a syndicate involved in tampering with original land registers, manipulating official records and preparing documents to facilitate illegal land transactions.
Raids at Prasad’s premises reportedly led to the seizure of several property documents and original revenue registers, which the agency cited as part of its investigation into the alleged land-related irregularities.
Author
Related Stories
Most Read
- 1Argentina’s ‘Vanishing Sea’: Rare Low Tide
- 2Effect of the 12 August 2026 Solar Eclipse on the 12 Zodiac Signs, Know Who Will Benefit and Who Will Have to Be Careful
- 3HC finds peon’s dismissal over tea and biscuits amounted to ‘injustice’
- 4Brace for 29 June: a Capricorn Full Moon, Mercury retrograde and Jupiter’s leap into Leo
- 5Japan Coach’s Whiteboard Tactics Go Viral at FIFA World Cup
