GUWAHATI: Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren has approached the Supreme Court with a fresh petition challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), citing significant delays in the Jharkhand High Court's judgement on his initial petition. Despite arguments concluding on February 28, the high court has yet to deliver its verdict, leaving Soren in custody since January 31.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, brought the issue before Justice Sanjiv Khanna on Wednesday, seeking an urgent listing for the new petition. Sibal emphasised that the delay in the high court's ruling has left Soren in a legal "deadlock," with no clear path to pursue his legal remedies. He expressed concern that the delay could leave Soren in custody until after the elections.
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"Now we again went to the (high) court and said I can't move forward or backward, at least please render the judgment. The judge said nothing. The man will be inside and elections will be over. Where do we go?" Sibal stated during the hearing.
Justice Khanna advised Sibal to submit an email request to the Chief Justice's Secretariat for urgent listing. Sibal indicated that such a request had already been made. Justice Khanna noted that the decision on listing rests with Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, and he could not commit to a specific date for hearing.
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When Sibal asked if the case could be listed on Friday, Justice Khanna responded, "No, I'm not saying anything. The CJ Secretariat will give the dates."
The fresh petition comes as Soren's earlier challenge to the ED's arrest was rejected by the Supreme Court, with the court directing him to approach the Jharkhand High Court for relief.