News Brief
After Bengal Now Jharkhand Goes Against ED: Police Files FIR Under SC/ST Act For 'Tarnishing Image' Of CM Hemant Soren
Jharkhand CM and JMM leader Hemant Soren (Ghoseb/Wikimedia Commons)
Jharkhand Police has taken action against officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) by filing an FIR on Wednesday (31 January) for allegedly tarnishing the image of Chief Minister Hemant Soren by spreading "false news".
The FIR was initiated following a complaint by Soren in response to the ED's raid at his Delhi residence, as per a report by The Indian Express.
This action follows the recent violent attacks on ED and the subsequent filling of FIRs against it in West Bengal while conducting a raid against a TMC MP in connection with Ration Scam Case until the Calcutta High Court directed that no coercive actions can be taken against ED officers.
The police has revealed that the FIR is registered under the provisions of the SC/ST Act, with further details yet to be disclosed.
Ranchi SP Chandan Sinha stated, "An FIR has been registered at the instance of Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The CM in his complaint has said that his image has been maligned by the ED officials who reached his Delhi residence without any information and propagated false news."
The filing of the FIR coincides with the ED's seizure of Rs 36 lakh in cash, a "benami SUV car", and "certain incriminating materials" from Soren's residence in Delhi.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Soren's party, criticised the ED's actions, asserting that Soren had informed the ED of his availability for questioning on 31 January at his residence through a letter sent on 28 January.
JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya questioned the urgency of the ED's early morning visit on 29 January, accompanied by a large contingent of armed personnel.
The party expressed concerns about the actions' legality and criticised the insult to the Chief Minister's dignity and the state's population.
On the other hand, BJP state president Babulal Marandi claimed that Soren had gone underground for 18 hours, fearing the ED.
Marandi also posted a 'CM Missing' poster on social media before Soren appeared with ruling coalition MLAs on Tuesday.
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