The Central probe agency—Enforcement Directorate (ED) has made a third arrest in an ongoing money laundering scam case against former Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The ED had earlier arrested JMM executive president and former chief minister Hemant Soren, state government revenue department sub inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad.
Mohammed Saddam was lodged in jail as part of an alleged land scam case of Jharkhand and the central agency took his custody under the anti-money laundering law after an application was made to the court, the sources said
Saddam is alleged to have "forged" land records related to the 8.86 acre land in Ranchi that the ED has alleged was illegally acquired by the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader. It is noteworthy that Mohammad Saddam has already been arrested by ED in another land scam case. Currently, he is in jail.
Sources said that ED has arrested Mohammad Saddam in the land scam case related to Hemant Soren. It is alleged that the documents of the land occupied by Hemant Soren were tampered with by Mohammad Saddam.
The ED had arrested Hemant Soren on January 31, 2024 in the alleged land scam case. Between August 2023 and January 2024, ED had summoned the former CM 10 times. Out of which Hemant came only twice to answer ED's questions. Both these times he was interrogated at the CM residence itself. On January 31 also, ED arrested him after a long interrogation of about 7 hours. After this, Hemant Soren went to Raj Bhavan and submitted his resignation to the Governor.
Meanwhile, in another development Congress Barkagoan MLA, Amba Prasad was interrogated by Central probe agency ED on the second day too. On the summons of ED, Amba Prasad appeared in the ED office at 3 o'clock on Tuesday. During this, while talking to the media, Amba said that she has come on the invitation of ED and she will go when she is called. He said that no questions have been asked to him in any matter related to land. However, Amba was not openly answering the questions asked by the media.
Regarding illegal occupation of the land, Amba Prasad said that the land for which she has been accused of occupation is government property. He or any member of his family has not forcibly occupied anyone's land. He said how government land can be bought, sold or captured. In such a situation, the officer should investigate it impartially and find the victim. Amba said that land disputes are common in today's times.
It is noteworthy that on Monday, Amba Prasad appeared on the second summons of ED. During this time he was interrogated for a long time. According to the information received, during the interrogation of about 8-9 hours, ED officials asked Amba questions related to illegal occupation of land and smuggling of coal and sand. However, ED officials were not satisfied with Amba's reply. At present, the interrogation of Amba Prasad continues for the second day.
