"Outrageous and shameful...": MK Stalin on Hemant Soren's arrest

"Outrageous and shameful! The arrest of Jharkhand Chief Minister Thiru @HemantSorenJMM is a blatant display of political vendetta by the Union BJP government. Using investigative agencies to harass a tribal leader is a new low. This act reeks of desperation and abuse of power. BJP's dirty tactics won't silence opposition voices," the Tamil Nadu CM posted on X.

He further said that the former Jharakhand Chief Minister's determination to fight back against BJP's bullying tactics is an inspiration.

"Despite the BJP's vindictive politics, Thiru @HemantSorenJMM stands strong, refusing to bow down. His resilience in the face of adversity is commendable. His determination to fight back against BJP's bullying tactics is an inspiration," he added.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) tried to tarnish his image by conducting raids at his Delhi residence.

A day after Soren's arrest, Jharkhand Chief Minister Soren released a video message in which Soren claimed that he was not linked to the money laundering case in which he was arrested.

"Most probably ED will arrest me today, but I am not worried as I am Shibu Soren's son...After a full day of questioning, they decided to arrest me in a planned manner on matters that were not related to me," Soren said in a video message recorded just before his arrest.

After a prolonged moment of speculation in the media and a hide-and-seek drama, Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) Chairperson Hemant Soren was arrested by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in the land scam case on Wednesday night.

"No evidence has been by them found yet. They also tried to spoil my image by conducting raids at my Delhi residence. We have to fight a new fight now against those who commit atrocities against the poor, Adivasis, Dalit and the innocent," he added.

He further said that he has to fight a new battle against those people who are accusing the inncocent people--the poor, Adivasis, Dalit.

"Struggle is in our blood and we will do that. I will not cow down. Ultimately truth will prevail and will win the battle," Soren said.

Earlier on Wednesday evening, JMM Chief Hemant Soren met Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhawan and handed over his resignation after over six hours of questioning by the ED in connection with a money laundering probe linked to the alleged land scam case.

According to the ED, CM Soren was questioned as a part of the probe into the 'huge racket of illegal change of ownership of land by the mafia'.

The probe pertains to huge amounts of proceeds of crime generated by forging official records by showing 'fake sellers' and purchasers in the guise of forged or bogus documents to acquire huge parcels of land having value in crores. (ANI)