ANS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented former Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Sub-Inspector Bhanu Pratap Prasad of the Badgain zone before the ED special court via video conferencing on Thursday.
This appearance was in connection with the alleged illegal acquisition of 8.5 acres of land in the Badgain zone. The court has extended their judicial custody until March 21, and they will be produced before the ED Court on that date.
Previously, Hemant Soren was taken into ED custody for 13 days of interrogation, while Bhanu Pratap Prasad was interrogated for 12 days. Following this, Bhanu was remanded to judicial custody at Birsa Munda Jail, Hotwar.
Notably, ED is investigating the case under ECIR 6/2023, with Bhanu Pratap Prasad, Hemant Soren, and others as accused.
The ED provided details of its investigation into the alleged illegal acquisition and possession of 8.5 acres of land by Soren. It informed the court that its officials conducted a survey on February 10, in the presence of Baragai circle officials Binod Singh and Bhanu Pratap Prasad.
The ED stated that the area of the banquet, as per the plan shared by Binod Singh with Soren on WhatsApp, matches the area of the 8.5 acres of land allegedly acquired by Soren.