Politics
From Going ‘Untraceable’ to Resigning as CM, A Timeline of Hemant Soren’s Arrest by ED
Last Updated: January 31, 2024, 23:33 IST
Hemant Soren (File Image: PTI)
Hemant Soren was taken into custody following questioning by the ED in connection with the land scam case
Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case pertaining to a land scam in the state. Following his arrest, Soren tendered his resignation from the Jharkhand CM post.
Champai Soren is set to be the new chief minister of Jharkhand.
Quoting an official, a Hindustan Times report said the probe agency has evidence that Hemant Soren is the key beneficiary in the alleged land-related irregularities in Ranchi, where a network of brokers and businessmen worked to create fake deeds of landed parcels by forging records in the registrar offices and further selling them off over the years.
“We have evidence that Hemant Soren had grabbed some parcel of land under probe in Jharkhand, which was illegally obtained by others through falsified documents,” an officer was quoted by Hindustan Times as saying on the condition of anonymity.
Timeline of Events Leading to Hemant Soren’s Arrest by ED-
- August 8, 2023: The ED issued a summon to then-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren for the first time for questioning in connection with the land scam case.
- August 14, 2023: Hemant Soren asked the federal agency to withdraw the summons warning of legal actions. Soren stated that he had already provided all the necessary information and documents.
- December 11, 2023: ED issued fresh summons to Hemant Soren for questioning in connection with the land scam case. He was asked to appear before the agency on December 12.
- January 16, 2024: After several summons by the federal agency, Hemant Soren told ED he would record his statement at his secretariat on January 20. This was the eighth summons by the probe agency to the JMM leader.
- January 20, 2024: ED recorded Soren’s statement for the first time in connection with the money laundering case.
- January 23, 2024: ED again issued a fresh summon to Soren asking him to be available for questioning between January 27-30.
- January 26, 2024: Soren acknowledged the summons by the probe agency and said he will reply in due course.
- January 29, 2024: A team of ED officials visited Hemant Soren’s Delhi residence as part of the investigation into the land scam case. The former Jharkhand CM went ‘untraceable’ for two days only to appear in Ranchi on Tuesday and call a meeting of the legislators of the ruling JMM-led coalition.
- January 30, 2024: Hemant Soren took the signatures of the lawmakers on the letter of support without any name. He also denied allegations by the BJP leaders that he went “missing” following scheduled raids and questioning by the ED.
- January 31, 2024: Hemant Soren was taken into custody following questioning by the ED in connection with the land scam case. Soren tendered his resignation from the top post making way for Champai Soren to be the next Jharkhand CM.
Hemant Soren has filed a writ petition in Jharkhand HC against ED summons. The case will be taken up at 10:30 am on February 1. He is likely to spend the night at the ED office in Ranchi and be produced before the court on Thursday.
Politics
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Ratan Tata, 86, died on October 9 at a city hospital.
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Politics
Bangladesh’s ‘India is Enemy’ Narrative May Lead to Alliance With Nuclear-Armed Pakistan: RSS Chief in Dussehra Speech
The political instability in Bangladesh has triggered a dangerous narrative of India being the enemy and, coupled with Pakistan’s nuclear power, both nations may strike up a dangerous alliance and try to contain India, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday in his Vijayadashmi speech as he emphasised how such a divisive propaganda not only undermines regional stability but also fuels hostility.
Every year, Bhagwat’s Vijayadashami address is known to carry the most crucial directions from the Sangh head to the cadres and all affiliate organisations. In Nagpur, the RSS chief was joined by Dr Koppillil Radhakrishnan, former chairperson of ISRO and the chief guest for the event.
Condemning the recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, Bhagwat said: “What unfolded in Bangladesh may have immediate causes, but the underlying issue is the repeated atrocities against Hindus. For the first time, Hindus united to protect themselves, but as long as this radical violence persists, not just Hindus, but all minorities are at risk. They need global Hindu support and India’s government must step in. Being weak invites atrocity. Wherever we are, we must be united and empowered — weakness is not an option.”
He added: “As long as the tyrannical fundamentalist nature exists in Bangladesh, the sword of danger will hang over the heads of not only Hindus, but all minority communities. Unprovoked brutal atrocities on the Hindu community residing in Bangladesh were repeated. A specific narrative is in circulation in Bangladesh about India being an anti-Bangladesh force. They say that Pakistan is their real friend. Since Pakistan has nuclear powers, a combination of Pakistan-Bangladesh may deal with India and try to contain it. The country that received full support in its creation is now encouraging such a narrative against Bharat.”
Bhagwat warned that India’s rise is being challenged by forces attempting to create alliances based on fear and aggression. However, these attempts will fail as India continues to stand strong, united, and prepared to face any threat.
Cultural Marxism, Wokism Exist
Noting that “being weak is a crime”, Bhagwat said: “If we are divided and disorganised, we invite trouble. Unity, empowerment, and support are essential to protect ourselves and all these vulnerable groups.”
He added: “Foreign forces with vested interests seek to destabilise India’s progress. Deep state conspiracies, cultural Marxism, and woke ideologies infiltrate institutions — be it educational, environmental, or societal — aiming to control the narrative and undermine India’s cultural integrity.”
“It’s critical to recognise that narratives are often manipulated to serve selfish agendas. This distortion is visible globally, but especially resonates within India’s neighbourhood, where instability spills over.”
The RSS chief also said: “The recent turmoil in Bangladesh is a stark reminder of how external influences continue to fuel religious violence, with Hindus repeatedly becoming targets of atrocities. The foreign force that wants to hurt India’s global interest, destabilise its interest is spreading and funding such radicalism, particularly in the neighbouring countries. It is intended to pose a significant threat not just to Hindus, but to all minorities.”
He said: “The Western forces which talk about and promote global friendship before the whole world are conspiring behind the backs of many such developing nations. There may have been reasons behind the political uprising in Bangladesh but it would have never taken such a shape had there not been outside support, motivation and planning.”
India must remain vigilant as enemies of tradition and nationhood are not only external but also find local allies who push anarchist and separatist agendas, he added. Bhagwat’s words echo the need for strength, pointing out that even divine forces do not protect the weak. “It is time to rise united, ensuring that India’s progress is safeguarded against forces that attempt to derail it.”
Several other important political and business personalities were present at the event, including Sajjan Jindal and Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Vaishnaw, however, left to look into a train crash after 12 coaches of Mysuru-Darbhanga Bagmati Superfast Express derailed following collision with a stationary goods train near Chennai on Friday night.
‘RG Kar Incident A Disgrace’
In a culture that upholds ‘Maatrivat Paradaareshu’ (seeing all women as mothers), incidents like the rape of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital are a stain on Indian society, said Bhagwat, adding, “The dilly-dally attitude of the state government, in a way its efforts to shield the culprits, expose the dangerous nexus of crime, politics, and a poisonous culture. We must reclaim our values and stand firm against this moral decay.”
The distorted propaganda and decay of values spread by various institutions is corrupting the minds, words, and deeds of Bharat’s younger generation, he said. “Children now have unchecked access to mobile phones and are consuming indecent content with no oversight. There is an urgent need for legal control over harmful ads and perverse visuals in our homes and society,” Bhagwat pointed out.
“The rise of drug addiction is hollowing our society from within, and we must revive values that promote virtue,” he added.
Last Updated:
Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini | Image/PTI (File)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form a government for the third consecutive term in Haryana with an oath-taking ceremony for Nayab Singh Saini as Chief Minister on October 17.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is all set to form a government for the third consecutive term in Haryana with an oath-taking ceremony for Nayab Singh Saini as Chief Minister on October 17.
Union Minister and former Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar said, “We have received the nod of the PM that on October 17, in Panchkula, the CM and council of ministers will take oath.”
A 10-member committee headed by the Panchkula District Commissioner has been formed by the chief secretary to take care of the oath-taking ceremony arrangements.
Nayab Singh Saini had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior BJP leaders in Delhi on Wednesday ahead of his likely swearing-in as the head of the new dispensation in the state following the party’s win in the assembly polls.
On Thursday, Saini also met the Union minister and the BJP’s election in-charge for Haryana, Dharmendra Pradhan, in the national capital.
The BJP had indicated during the elections that Saini, who replaced Manohar Lal Khattar as chief minister in March and hails from the Other Backward Classes, will be its choice for the top post if it wins.
In the assembly elections, the party recorded its best-ever haul of 48 seats, 11 more than the Congress. The JJP and the AAP were decimated and the INLD managed to win just two seats.
Eight out of 10 ministers in the outgoing Saini cabinet faced defeat in the Haryana assembly polls. The two who won were Mahipal Dhanda and Mool Chand Sharma from Panipat Rural and Ballabhgarh seats respectively.
Both Dhanda, who comes from the Jat community, and Sharma, a senior leader and a Brahmin face, are among the ministerial probables in the new government, sources said.
Haryana can have a maximum of 14 ministers, including the chief minister.
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