Amidst the tumultuous political landscape unfolding both in Jharkhand and Delhi over the course of Sunday and Monday, Chief Minister Hemant Soren made a notable appearance in Ranchi, bringing an end to the speculative frenzy surrounding his whereabouts. The spotlight had been cast upon Jharkhand due to the Enforcement Directorate's pursuit of Soren for questioning in connection with a land fraud case. Following nearly 30 hours of an apparent search for him by probe agency officials, Soren re-emerged in the capital city of Ranchi on Tuesday.
His return prompted a closed-door meeting with MLAs and ministers affiliated with the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led ruling coalition, amidst swirling rumors suggesting the possibility of Soren's arrest by the Enforcement Directorate. Accompanied by his wife, Kalpana Soren, there was speculation regarding her potential assumption of governance should Soren face arrest.
These developments unfolded against the backdrop of frenetic political activities in both Ranchi and Delhi, setting the stage for heightened anticipation and scrutiny.
Soren's involvement in the land scam investigation had escalated with the issuance of a tenth summons last week, prompting him to confirm his availability for questioning on either January 29 or January 31, in correspondence with the central probe agency.
In a series of events that unfolded on the night of January 27, Soren purportedly departed for Delhi from Ranchi, citing legal consultations as the reason for his sudden visit to the national capital. While in Delhi, he reportedly engaged in discussions with legal counsel and explored potential legal recourse, including seeking protection from coercive measures through judicial intervention.
Despite the Enforcement Directorate's vigilance and efforts to locate him in Delhi, Soren's discreet return to his residence late on Sunday night and subsequent departure for Delhi in the wee hours of Monday went undetected. While probe agency officials searched his Delhi residence for approximately 13 hours, Soren managed to evade their scrutiny by embarking on an extensive road journey spanning 1,292 kilometers from Delhi to Ranchi.
The unfolding drama prompted calls from the BJP for Soren to be declared a fugitive, with the state BJP chief even offering a cash reward for credible information on his whereabouts. Ultimately, Soren re-emerged on Tuesday, greeted by media personnel as he arrived at his Ranchi residence, signaling a temporary resolution to the intense scrutiny surrounding his movements.
