Debangana Ray
Published on June 17, 2022 at 19:21 IST
The Supreme Court refused to halt the proceedings against CM Hemant Soren before the Jharkhand High Court. The proceedings were being held for the allegations against him of money laundering, embezzlement of funds and irregularities in granting mining leases.
The bench consisting of Justices JK Maheshwari and Hima Kohli was hearing a plea against the proceedings of Jharkhand High Court which had upheld the maintainability of the PIL against Soren.
Justice Maheshwari opined that “We are keeping it open. Approach High Court and raise when it is being heard,”
“We cannot look at it in the piecemeal way. High Court has already decided what we had asked them to,” Justice Kohli added.
The apex court has adjourned the matter to be heard after the summer vacations.
The Jharkhand HC had directed the CBI to probe the situation after a bench led by the Chief Justice of the High court relied on a sealed cover report from the ED( Enforcement Directorate).
The HC had rejected the state’s objection to the acceptance of the sealed cover report. The Chief Justice led bench directed the state to produce of details regarding 16 FIRs relating to an alleged MGNREGA scam.
The state then approached the SC against the proceedings. On May 24, the SC directed the HC to decide on the maintainability of the PIL to which the HC held to be maintainable. The state then approached the top court against the decision.
According to senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, “It is only to destabilise the government. It is a politically motivated petition. Day to day hearing is happening. Don’t know what is the urgency,”
To which Solicitor General Tushar Mehta responded, “I will inform what is the urgency. We cannot be street fighters,”
The Court eventually posted the case for hearing before another bench once the Court reopens.
“On Mr. Rohatgi’s request, List the matter upon reopening before an appropriate bench,” the order said.