Jharkhand HC relief to CM in model code violation case

The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday quashed criminal proceedings against Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a case related to the alleged violation of the model code of conduct during the 2014 assembly elections.

Soren was facing prosecution before a district court in West Singhbhum district in connection with the case.

Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary set aside the proceedings after hearing the matter at length.

An FIR was lodged at Adityapur police station in 2014 alleging violation of the model code of conduct by Soren.

The chief minister had subsequently moved the high court, which had earlier stayed the criminal proceedings against him.

During the hearing, Soren’s counsel contended that no violation of the model code had taken place and alleged that the FIR was lodged due to political vendetta.

The counsel submitted that Soren had merely participated in an election campaign for a candidate of his party.