VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Aug 12: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Friday concluded hearing of the office of the profit case against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the judgment is likely any time after August 18. Hemant Soren, represented by his advocate, sought some time from the ECI to make some written submission. To this, the ECI bench directed his lawyer to file the written submission latest by August 18.
Hemant Soren was represented by senior lawyer Minakshi Arora who argued for around two hours before a division bench of the ECI court. She contended that Hemant Soren obtaining the lease of a stone mine at Angara in Ranchi doesn’t attract section 9 A of the People’s Representation Act 1951. But the BJP which is the petitioner in this case countered the argument.
Referring to section 9A of the People’s Representation Act 1951 the BJP demanded termination of his membership in the assembly on the ground of holding a contract with the government.
The BJP alleged Hemant Soren got a stone mining lease in his name in his capacity as Chief Minister as well as minister of forest and environment. The BJP had raised the matter with Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais and demanded his disqualification from the assembly on the grounds of corrupt practices. Exercising his power under section 192 (2) of the Constitution of India, the Governor referred this matter to the ECI.
The ECI sent a notice to Hemant Soren to explain his case and as to why his membership in the Jharkhand assembly should not be terminated for misusing his office for pecuniary gains. Under the act, a government servant can’t undertake business in his name.
The controversy has been haunting Hemant Soren right from the ECI to the Jharkhand High Court and the Supreme Court after he got the mining lease in his name at Angara. Hemant Soren also holds the portfolio of the mining department and the BJP claims that this is tantamount to the office of profit and he is liable to be disqualified. The ECI had directed Jharkhand Chief Secretary Sukhdev Singh to submit all the documents related to the mining lease.
Deputy Commissioner cum District Magistrate, Ranchi Chhavi Ranjan passed an order granting a Letter of Intent for grant of fresh mining lease of stone minor mineral in the name of single applicant Sri Hemant Soren vide order dated 15.06.2021. It is alleged that it was done by overlooking the mandatory requirement of Rule 69 of Jharkhand Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 2004.
