Hemant Soren walks out of jail, says 'I am victim of conspiracy'

Jharkhand HC grants bail to ex-CM

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After spending around five months in jail on a money laundering charge, former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was granted bail on Friday. Upon his release, the JMM leader alleged that he was the victim of a conspiracy.

Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31 in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to a land scam.

The court reserved its order on the 48-year-old politician's bail plea on June 13.

"...The petitioner is directed to be released on bail on furnishing a bail bond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the like amount each," stated the 55-page order issued by Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay.

Soren was released from Birsa Munda Jail around 4 pm after completing legal formalities, an official said.

Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the court's decision. Soren's wife, Kalpana Soren, a JMM legislator, also expressed gratitude to the judiciary.

"The court has held that prima facie he is not guilty of the offence and there is no likelihood of the petitioner committing an offence when on bail," Soren's senior counsel Arunabh Chowdhury said.

As Soren stepped out of jail, a large crowd of JMM supporters cheered and raised slogans in his favour. The leader waved at them.