PILs seeking probe into money-laundering allegations against Soren not maintainable: SC

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren had approached the Supreme Court after the State High Court had held that the PILs against him for alleged money laundering through shell companies was maintainable

The Supreme Court on Monday held that public interest petitions filed against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking a CBI probe into allegations of money laundering is not maintainable.

Mr. Soren had approached the Supreme Court after the State High Court had held that the PILs against him for alleged money laundering through shell companies and obtaining a mining lease was maintainable.

The Bench which gave relief to Mr. Soren was headed by Chief Justice U. U. Lalit.

"We have allowed the appeals holding that the PILs are not maintainable," Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia, on the Bench, said. The judgment is yet to be uploaded.

The Supreme Court had earlier stayed the Jharkhand High Court proceedings against Mr. Soren while reserving his appeals against the High Court decision for judgment.

The PILs against Mr. Soren had also alleged violations of provisions of the Representation of People Act.

Taking cognisance of the controversy, the Election Commission of India (ECI) had sent a notice to Mr. Soren in May seeking his version on the mining lease issued in his favour while holding the Mining and Environment portfolios.