Supreme Court stays trial in ED case against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren

The case against Soren was filed under section 174 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) that seeks to punish a person who disobeys summons issued by a public servant, in this case summons issued by ED. The case was lodged in 2024 as the ED alleged that Soren refused to turn up for questioning despite issuance of seven summons.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant issued notice to the ED and held, “Meanwhile proceedings in the case shall be kept in abeyance.” Section 174 IPC carries a maximum sentence of one month simple imprisonment.

At the same time, the court reminded ED to focus on the bulk of complaints being probed against Soren in connection with the alleged cases.