Jharkhand HC denies Hemant Soren relief in PMLA land case, next hearing Oct 28
Synopsis
The Jharkhand High Court has refused to shield Chief Minister Hemant Soren from charge-framing in a PMLA case over 8.86 acres of disputed land in Ranchi — meaning he must now face the Special PMLA Court while the High Court battle continues. With the next hearing set for 28 October, the case puts a sitting chief minister squarely in the crosshairs of an active money laundering trial.
Key Takeaways
The Jharkhand High Court on 30 September refused any interim relief to Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a PMLA land case.
The case involves alleged irregularities over 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi's Bargain revenue circle .
The ED has been directed to file a supplementary affidavit and share it with all parties by 20 October .
The High Court's next hearing is scheduled for 28 October .
With no stay granted, Soren must now appear before the Special PMLA Court as charge-framing proceeds.
A division bench of Chief Justice M.S.
Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad presided over the hearing.
The Jharkhand High Court on Wednesday, 30 September declined to grant any interim relief to Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case linked to alleged irregularities over 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi's Bargain revenue circle. The ruling marks a significant setback for the Chief Minister, who now faces the prospect of appearing before the Special PMLA Court as charge-framing proceedings continue.
What the High Court Directed
A division bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Manoj Prasad was hearing Soren's criminal writ petition, which challenged a Special PMLA Court order dated 21 September. The High Court directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to file a supplementary affidavit and provide a copy to all related parties by 20 October. The next hearing before the High Court has been scheduled for 28 October.
The Core Legal Dispute
Soren's petition contests the lower court's refusal to stay the process of framing charges against him until the ED completes its investigation. After the Special PMLA Court rejected his plea to halt the charge-framing process, Soren moved the High Court seeking a stay. The High Court also examined the question of the petition's maintainability after the ED raised objections on legal grounds — prompting the direction for a supplementary affidavit clarifying the agency's position.
The Underlying Allegations
The case centres on alleged land irregularities and money laundering connected to 8.86 acres of property in Ranchi's Bargain area. According to the ED's investigation, the probe has examined allegations of manipulation of land records and irregularities in transactions associated with the property. These allegations form the basis of the agency's ongoing inquiry, while judicial proceedings in the matter continue in parallel.
Legal Representation
Senior Advocate S. Nagamuthu appeared on behalf of Chief Minister Soren during the hearing. The ED was represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, Senior Advocate Amit Kumar Das, and Advocate Saurabh Kumar, who joined proceedings through video conferencing.
What Happens Next
With no stay granted by the High Court, Soren will now have to appear before the Special PMLA Court as the charge-framing process moves forward. The trajectory of the case will hinge on two parallel tracks: the High Court proceedings resuming on 28 October, and the ongoing trial court process. This comes amid a broader pattern of ED action against sitting and former chief ministers across several states, making the Jharkhand case one of the more closely watched PMLA proceedings at the state leadership level.
Point of View
A rare and politically charged situation. The court's decision to also examine the petition's maintainability suggests Soren's legal strategy faces structural hurdles, not just factual ones. Notably, the ED's move to raise maintainability objections rather than contest facts signals a broader agency tactic of narrowing the judicial space for pre-trial relief in PMLA cases. If the High Court ultimately rules the petition non-maintainable, Soren's options narrow considerably before any substantive hearing on the merits.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PMLA case against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren?
The case involves alleged money laundering and land record manipulation linked to 8.86 acres of property in Ranchi's Bargain revenue circle . The Enforcement Directorate has been investigating alleged irregularities in transactions associated with the land, and a Special PMLA Court has allowed charge-framing proceedings to proceed against Soren.
Why did Hemant Soren approach the Jharkhand High Court?
Soren moved the High Court after the Special PMLA Court rejected his plea to halt the charge-framing process until the ED completes its investigation. He filed a criminal writ petition challenging the lower court's order dated 21 September, seeking a stay on the proceedings.
What did the Jharkhand High Court decide on 30 September?
The High Court declined to grant any interim relief to Soren and directed the ED to file a supplementary affidavit, with a copy to be shared with all parties by 20 October. The next hearing before the High Court is scheduled for 28 October.
What happens to Hemant Soren now that the High Court has denied relief?
With no stay in place, Soren will have to appear before the Special PMLA Court as the charge-framing process continues. The case will now proceed on two tracks — the High Court hearing on 28 October and the ongoing trial court proceedings.
Who represented Hemant Soren and the ED in the High Court hearing?
Senior Advocate S. Nagamuthu appeared for Chief Minister Soren. The ED was represented by Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju, Senior Advocate Amit Kumar Das, and Advocate Saurabh Kumar, who participated via video conferencing.
