RANCHI: A special MP/MLA court in Ranchi dismissed Jharkhand CM-elect Hemant Soren’s petition seeking exemption from personal appearance in a case filed by ED for alleged non-compliance of summons issued by the agency. Soren’s advocate Pradeep Chandra said, “Court has fixed the next hearing on Dec 4 for appearance of the petitioner. Court had reserved its order on Soren’s petition after hearing both the sides.”
ED filed a petition on Feb 19, before chief judicial magistrate claiming Soren did not appear in eight of the 10 summons it had issued. The summons are related to alleged illegal occupation of 8.86 acres in Bargai circle of Ranchi. On March 4, court took cognisance under section 174 of IPC for ‘non-attendance in obedience to an order from a public servant’.
Soren then moved HC against CJM court’s cognizance in the case.