The Enforcement Directorate (ED) late on Monday seized two BMWs, some incriminating documents and Rs 36 lakh in cash during searches at the official residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in Delhi. The ED team was unable to question Soren as he was not at home and was "missing", sources said.
On January 27, Hemant Soren left Ranchi for Delhi, stating it was for personal reasons and that he would return soon. However, the BJP's Jharkhand unit countered, alleging he had been missing for 18 hours, fearing action from the ED. They appealed to Governor CP Radhakrishnan, expressing concerns about the state's credibility.
The ED had previously questioned Soren on January 20 in the case.
The probe agency had issued fresh summons to Soren last week asking him to confirm his availability for questioning in the alleged money laundering case on either January 29 or 31.
According to the ED, the investigation pertains to a "huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia" in Jharkhand.
In a letter dated January 29, accessed by India Today TV, Soren told the ED that he would appear for questioning at his residence at 1 pm on January 31. In the same letter, the Jharkhand Chief Minister also alleged that the probe against him in the money laundering case was a "roving enquiry" with political motivations.
The 48-year-old politician also accused the central agency of attempting to character assassinate him and claimed that false information was being disseminated to the press, leading to a media trial.
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