Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren granted permission to attend Assembly Floor Test amidst ED arrest

A special court in Ranchi on Saturday granted permission to former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren to attend the Special Session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and participate in the proceedings of the Floor Test on February 5. Soren will be allowed to participate in the voting process for as long as it lasts.

"Applicant (Hemant Soren) is, therefore, filing the present Application seeking an order from this Hon'ble Court to permit the Applicant to attend the Special Session of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly and participate in the proceedings of the Floor Test slated for February 5 at 11 AM," read the petition.

Champai Soren will have to prove his majority in the Jharkhand legislative assembly on February 5. In the 81-seat Jharkhand assembly, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha holds 29 seats, supported by its coalition partner Congress with 17 seats, and the RJD and CPI (ML) each hold 1 seat. To secure a majority, a minimum of 41 seats is required. The JMM-led coalition has stated the support of their 43 MLAs. On the other hand, BJP has 26 seats, AJSU has 3, there are 3 for Independents and other MLAs, and one seat in the assembly is vacant.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister, Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday in connection with the alleged land scam case. Champaign Soren was sworn in as the New Chief Minister of Jharkhand on Friday morning, two days after Hemant Soren's arrest. Hemant Soren has been kept at the Birsa Munda Jail.

The Supreme Court on Friday turned down Hemant Soren's appeal challenging his arrest by the ED and asked him to approach the High Court instead. The Jharkhand High Court will be hearing Hemant Soren’s petition that challenges his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on February 5.