• Source:JND
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The Supreme Court on Tuesday will hear former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's plea seeking interim bail to participate in Lok Sabha elections campaigning. A vacation bench headed by Justice Dipankar Datta is scheduled to hear Soren's plea against his arrest and interim bail today. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader has been in custody since January 31 following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged land scam. Meanwhile, the ED has opposed the bail plea of the JMM leader.

In its affidavit filed in the top court on Soren's plea against his arrest and for interim bail, the probe agency said there is substantial evidence suggesting the JMM leader's involvement in the illegal acquisition and possession of properties suspected to be the proceeds of criminal activities.

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"Various Statements recorded under section 50 of PMLA, 2002, which establish that property admeasuring 8.86 acres, situated at Shanti Nagar, Near Lalu Khatal, Bariyatu is under illegal acquisition, possession and use of Hemant Soren and the same has been done in a camouflaged and concealed manner," the agency said.

"It is relevant to note that the right to campaign for an election is neither a fundamental right nor a constitutional right and not even a legal right," ED said while opposing the interim bail of Soren. Th ED said that there is an active attempt on Soren's part to subvert the investigation by misusing state machinery and project the proceeds of crime as "untainted through his stooges".

In an attempt to strengthen his case for interim relief, Soren drew parallels to a recent Supreme Court ruling involving Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Soren, arrested on January 31 in the money-laundering case, challenged a May 3 order of the Jharkhand High Court that dismissed his petition against his arrest by the ED. He has also sought interim bail for campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls till the court delivers its verdict on his plea against his arrest.

(With Agency Inputs)