Enforcement Directorate files prosecution complaint against Hemant Soren in "land scam"

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], April 4 : Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi has filed a Prosecution Complaint against Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former Chief Minister Hemant Soren under PMLA, 2002 for acquiring, possessing, and concealing proceeds of crime in the form of an 8.8-acre immovable property at Bariyatu, Ranchi.
"Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Ranchi has filed a Prosecution Complaint (PC) against Hemant Soren & four others in one of the cases of land scam being investigated under the provisions of PMLA, 2002, for acquiring, possessing and concealing the proceeds of crime in the nature of an immovable property admeasuring 8.8 acres at Bariyatu, Ranchi," as per a press release.
Four other persons namely Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Binod Singh, Hilarious Kachhap and Raj Kumar Pahan have also been arraigned as accused in the Complaint for their roles in aiding and abetting Hemant Soren in his unlawful acquisition and possession of the said property, the ED said.
"The PMLA Court, Ranchi has taken cognizance of the said Prosecution Complaint on 04.04.2024. The afore-said property worth Rs. 31 Crore has also been provisionally attached by the ED," as per the release.
ED initiated money laundering investigation in cases of land scam on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Jharkhand Police against several persons including government officials.
"ED investigation in land scam cases has revealed that one of the accused persons, Bhanu Pratap Prasad, a Revenue Official and custodian of original government records, misused his official position by providing assistance to several persons including Hemant Soren in their activities linked to illegal occupation, acquisition and/or possession of proceeds of crime in form of landed properties," as per the release.
ED investigation revealed that a racket of land mafia is active in Jharkhand which use to forge the land records in Ranchi. It is also revealed that ownership records of lands have also been forged to extend favours to the said land mafia.
"Subsequently, on the basis of forged land records, such land parcels are sold to other persons. Original land records of ownerships are either tampered or concealed to facilitate unlawful acquisition, possession and use of such properties. ED had earlier carried out 51 searches & 9 surveys in such cases and incriminating evidences like forged seals of Land! Revenue Department, forged land deeds, records of distribution of Proceeds of Crime, photographs of doing forgery, evidence of giving bribe to Government officials etc. were seized," the release stated.
Searches have resulted in recovery and seizure of Rs 1.25 crore (approx.) of cash and further freezing of Rs 3.56 Crore of bank account balances. During one of the searches at a premise in Delhi under use and control of Hemant Soren, cash amounting to Rs 36.34 Lakh, one BMW Luxury car and incriminating documents were seized.
"ED had earlier provisionally attached tainted land parcels worth Rs. 236 crore in land scam cases. Till date, 16 accused persons including Hemant Soren, Chhavi Ranjan, IAS (Ex-DC, Ranchi), Bhanu Pratap Prasad (Revenue Sub-Inspector), Amit Kumar Agarwal, Prem Prakash have been arrested in these cases," as per the release.
Prosecution Complaints in land scam cases have earlier been filed on June 12, 2023 & September 1, 2023, by ED.
Further investigation is under progress.