Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren released from jail after HC grants bail in money laundering case

As Soren stepped out of the jail, a large number of JMM supporters cheered and raised slogans in favour of him.

Former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren comes out of Birsa Munda Central Jail upon his release after Jharkhand High Court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to a land scam, in Ranchi. (Photo | PTI)

RANCHI: Former Chief Minister Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court in the land scam case on Friday. As soon as he came out of jail, he greeted his party workers.

His wife Kalpana Soren, media advisor Abhishek Prasad 'Pintu,' and Minister Hafizul Hasan were also present as Soren walked out of jail.

After depositing two personal bonds of Rs 50,000 each in the Ranchi PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) special court, the court issued a release order for Soren. The release order was sent to Birsa Munda Central Jail, following which Hemant Soren was released. Hemant Soren’s younger brothers, Basant Soren and Kumar Saurav acted as his bailors.

Earlier, Hemant Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court in the land scam case. The court of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay accepted Hemant Soren’s bail plea and granted him bail.

"...The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing bail bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount each," said the order passed by Justice Mukhopadhyay.

Hemant Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate was arrested on the night of January 31 in the land scam case. The ED has completed the investigation and filed a charge sheet against five people, including Hemant Soren, on March 30.

(With inputs from PTI)