Hemant Soren's interim bail plea: Apex Court seeks ED response

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate to respond to a plea filed by Hemant Soren, former Jharkhand chief minister, challenging his arrest by the agency in a money laundering case.

A division bench, headed by justice Sanjiv Khanna, posted Soren's plea for interim bail for next week. In his plea, Soren contended that the Jharkhand High Court had caused a delay in pronouncing its verdict on his plea challenging his arrest by ED.

Posting Soren's appeal for next week, SC made it clear that it would be open for the high court to pronounce judgement till then.


In February, Soren had moved SC challenging his arrest. The top court, however, directed Soren to first approach the Jharkhand High Court rather than moving the Supreme Court directly.