Ex-Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren released from jail after HC grants bail in money laundering case
Ranchi (PTI): Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was released from Birsa Munda Jail here on Friday after the high court granted bail to him in a money laundering case linked to a land scam, an official said.
As Soren stepped out of the jail, a large number of JMM supporters cheered and raised slogans in favour of him.
Soren's wife Kalpana Soren, a JMM legislator, thanked the judiciary and people for their support.
"Heman Soren was released from the jail after completion of legal formalities," the official said.
Soren, on his release from the jail, was seen waving at people and seeking blessings from his father and JMM supremo Shibu Soren.
A single bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay granted bail to the former chief minister of Jharkhand earlier in the day.
"...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.
Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on January 31 in connection with its investigation into the money laundering case.
Watch | Former Jharkhand CM and JMM leader #HemantSoren released on bail from Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi
— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) June 28, 2024
He was granted bail by Jharkhand High Court in a land scam case pic.twitter.com/2XLoZTzI0g
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Assam journalist arrested after questioning senior bank official over 'financial irregularities'
Guwahati (PTI): A journalist of a digital news portal in Assam has been arrested after being detained for over nine hours by the police, after he questioned the MD of a cooperative bank over alleged financial irregularities in the institution during a protest here, officials said.
Dilwar Hussain Mozumder, chief reporter of 'The Cross Current', was summoned to the Panbazar police station on Tuesday afternoon and subsequently detained, they said.
Mozumder, who is also the assistant general secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, was arrested after midnight under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including those pertaining to criminal intimidation or the act of threatening someone to harm them, and relevant sections of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the officials said.
The incident took place when the journalist asked questions to the MD as the Assam Jatiya Parishad's youth wing Jatiya Yuva Shakti (JYS) on Tuesday staged a dharna in front of the Assam Cooperative Apex Bank Ltd to protest against alleged financial irregularities.
Mozumder is the prime accused in the FIR filed by a complainant, whose name has not been mentioned in the arrest information report.
The complaint said the journalist’s remarks were made to intentionally insult, humiliate and offend the complainant, who is a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
The police report mentions that the offence is cognisable and non-bailable as per the provisions of the BNS and the SC/ST Act, leading to his immediate arrest, the officials said.
The arrest was necessary to prevent the accused from influencing the complainant or witnesses, ensuring a fair investigation and avoiding any tampering with evidence, according to the police.
Mozumder, who also filed a complaint with the police which is yet to be registered, alleged that a video recording of the protest was deleted inside the MD’s chamber, and that he had also asked the scribe to ensure the demonstrations be stopped.
His wife and lawyer were reportedly allowed to enter the police station late on Tuesday, after repeated pleas that Mozumder needs medication.
Several media organisations have condemned the arrest and protest programmes have been planned on Wednesday.
Opposition parties like the Congress, Raijor Dal and the Assam Jatiya Parishad have also demanded his immediate release.
