Jharkhand’s former chief minister and JMM executive president Hemant Soren has been granted permission by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi to participate in the floortesting at the Assembly in Ranchi on February 5 for the new government.

Soren, currently under a five-day ED remand following his arrest on Wednesday
in a money laundering case, filed a petition before the special PMLA court with a plea to take part in the trust vote.

He emphasised his status as a member of the Assembly and asserted his right to
take part in the special session.

The new government, led by Champai Soren, has called for the floor test to demonstrate its majority in the House. Champai Soren assumed office as chief minister subsequent to Hemant Soren’s arrest.

Jharkhand advocate-general Rajeev Ranjan said: “Their opposition to the petition suggests the ED’s intentions are not investigative but aimed at thwarting the formation of a new government or destabilising the existing one. Their interference in Assembly proceedings, when unrelated to the investigation, is unwarranted. Fortunately, the court has upheld our petition.”