VIJAY DEO JHA
Ranchi, Aug 8: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday conducted the office of the profit case against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The ECI fixed August 12 as the next date of hearing. However, senior advocate SK Mendiratta appeared on behalf of the Chief Minister and requested the court to hold the next hearing at the end of this month, but the ECI decided for an early hearing.
The hearing continued for around two hours where SK Mendiratta contended that the chief minister getting the lease of a stone mine at Angara in Ranchi doesn’t attract section 9 A of the People’s Representation Act 1951
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 accused Hemant Soren of acquiring a stone mining lease in his name while he is the chief minister of the state besides the minister of the mining and forest and environment department. The BJP took the matter to Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais to seek his disqualification from the assembly on the ground 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 had sent him a notice to explain why not his membership in the Jharkhand assembly should be terminated for misusing his office for pecuniary gains. Under the act, a government servant can’t undertake business in his name.
The Chief Minister landed in legal trouble after the BJP raised the issue of him having obtained a stone mining lease 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 the Jharkhand chief secretary Sukhdeo Singh to submit all documents related to the mining lease.
The then 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
