Law Kumar Mishra
Ranchi, November 17
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday questioned Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in connection with the illegal mining for over nine hours.
Amidst high-pitched political drama, Soren today appeared before the economic intelligence agency that had cracked down on illegal mining in the mineral-rich state. The ED had earlier summoned Soren and asked to appear on November 3. He skipped the notice and even dared ED officials to arrest him asserting he would not appear.
The ED issued second summon to the Chief Minister and asked to appear on November 17. However, Soren sought he be interrogated a day before on Wednesday. The agency turned it down.
After show of strength, Soren reached the ED office in Ranchi at around 12 noon with his brother and legislator Basant Soren. He came out at around 9. 30 pm and drove away with wife Kalpana.
Sources said during interrogation that lasted for over nine hours, Soren skipped most of the questions. Soren denied that he knew Prem Prakash, who was arrested by the ED in August in connection with the money laundering case. During the search, ED recovered two AK-47 rifles along with 60 live cartridges from the residence of the Ranchi-based businessman who is believed to have his sway in every major tender and transfer posting of IAS and IPS officers.
The Chief Minister has sought time to respond on the matters related to his properties, bank statements and investments.
Soren also denied that he gave undue patronage to Pankaj Mishra, a close-aide of the Chief Minister who was arrested by the ED in July in connection with the same case. Soren denied of having any knowledge of Pankaj Mishra’s activities. ED official contested and lobbed another query as to how his passbook and cheque books were found at the residence of Pankaj Mishra. Soren defended that he had kept it during election time.
