📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Prime Minister's Office
Politics
Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren skips scheduled PMLA court hearing, court sets Monday 4 PM deadline
✍️ Devdiscourse
🗓 20 Sep 2026, 05:31 AM
👁 13
Chief Minister Hemant Soren did not attend a court hearing under the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act, citing a busy schedule, and the court has ordered him to appear by 4 PM on Monday.
Ranchi – The Jharkhand chief minister, Hemant Soren, failed to appear at a scheduled hearing of the Prevention of Money‑Laundering Act (PMLA) case, stating that his official commitments prevented his attendance. The court, noting the importance of the matter, issued a fresh directive requiring Soren to be present before the bench by 4 PM on the upcoming Monday.
Legal counsel for the state argued that the chief minister’s duties, including multiple engagements across the state, made it impractical to attend the hearing on the originally fixed date. The judiciary, however, emphasized that no individual, regardless of position, is exempt from complying with court summons.
If the chief minister does not comply with the new deadline, the court may consider contempt proceedings, which could lead to further legal repercussions. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed additional details about the allegations.
The development adds to the ongoing scrutiny of political leaders in India facing investigations under anti‑money‑laundering statutes, highlighting the tension between governance responsibilities and judicial processes.
Legal counsel for the state argued that the chief minister’s duties, including multiple engagements across the state, made it impractical to attend the hearing on the originally fixed date. The judiciary, however, emphasized that no individual, regardless of position, is exempt from complying with court summons.
If the chief minister does not comply with the new deadline, the court may consider contempt proceedings, which could lead to further legal repercussions. The case remains under investigation, and authorities have not disclosed additional details about the allegations.
The development adds to the ongoing scrutiny of political leaders in India facing investigations under anti‑money‑laundering statutes, highlighting the tension between governance responsibilities and judicial processes.