📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Biswarup Ganguly
Politics
Jharkhand HC Denies Hemant Soren's Stay Plea, PMLA Charges Remain in Land Case
✍️ India Today
🗓 19 Sep 2026, 01:32 PM
👁 7
The Jharkhand High Court refused to stay the Prevention of Money Laundering Act charges against former chief minister Hemant Soren in a land dispute, leaving the case to proceed.
The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by former chief minister Hemant Soren seeking a stay on the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) charges linked to a land acquisition case. The plea was part of a broader legal battle over alleged irregularities in the acquisition of forest land for a private project.
The bench, after hearing arguments from both the petitioner’s counsel and the prosecution, concluded that the statutory provisions of the PMLA were applicable and that the petitioner had not demonstrated any prima facie ground for a stay. Consequently, the court ordered that the criminal proceedings continue without interruption.
Legal experts noted that the decision underscores the judiciary’s willingness to let anti‑money‑laundering statutes operate even against high‑profile political figures. The ruling also means that Soren will have to face trial on the charges, which could have political ramifications ahead of upcoming state elections.
The bench, after hearing arguments from both the petitioner’s counsel and the prosecution, concluded that the statutory provisions of the PMLA were applicable and that the petitioner had not demonstrated any prima facie ground for a stay. Consequently, the court ordered that the criminal proceedings continue without interruption.
Legal experts noted that the decision underscores the judiciary’s willingness to let anti‑money‑laundering statutes operate even against high‑profile political figures. The ruling also means that Soren will have to face trial on the charges, which could have political ramifications ahead of upcoming state elections.