Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court on Thursday imposed a ₹10,000 fine on the Hemant Soren side after more time was sought to file a response in a case concerning an FIR registered against Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials under the SC/ST Act.
Soren’s side had sought six weeks’ time to file its response. The court expressed displeasure over the request and granted four weeks to submit the reply. The next hearing has been scheduled for November 2, 2026.
Case Concerns FIR Against ED Officials
The matter relates to a petition filed by former ED officials Kapil Raj, Devvrat Jha, Anupam Kumar and others, seeking quashing of the FIR registered against them under provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The FIR was lodged by Hemant Soren at the SC/ST police station in Ranchi on January 31, 2024, following ED searches at his Delhi residence.
Soren had alleged that the manner in which the searches were conducted and the publicity surrounding the operation were humiliating and defamatory. He also alleged that, as a member of a Scheduled Tribe, the actions had insulted him personally and demeaned the tribal community he represents.
ED Officials Approached High Court
Following the FIR, Ranchi Police issued notices to the concerned ED officials under Section 41A of the CrPC.
The ED officials subsequently approached the Jharkhand High Court seeking quashing of the FIR and relief from further investigation and proceedings arising from it.
The High Court had earlier stayed the police notices and related action against the ED officials while seeking a response from the state government.
Court Grants Four Weeks to File Reply
The High Court had previously directed Hemant Soren’s side to file its response in the matter. During Thursday’s hearing, another request for additional time was made.
After imposing the ₹10,000 fine, the court directed the response to be filed within four weeks and fixed November 2 for the next hearing.
The court’s latest order concerns the delay in filing the response and does not amount to a final decision on whether the FIR against the ED officials will be quashed.
The matter remains under judicial consideration.