Delhi HC refuses to interfere with Lokpal proceedings against Shibu Soren

In a significant legal development, the High Court of Delhi has decided not to intervene in the ongoing proceedings initiated by the Lokpal of India against former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) patriarch Shibu Soren. The case involves allegations of excessive accumulation of assets by Soren.

Justice Subramoniaam Prasad, presiding over the matter, stated that Soren's request for intervention was premature at this stage. Although a detailed directive is awaited, the court's decision suggests that the Lokpal's investigation will proceed uninterrupted.

Implications of the Ruling

Shibu Soren, currently serving as a Rajya Sabha member, approached the Delhi High Court challenging the Lokpal's order dated August 4, 2022. This order had initiated proceedings to determine the existence of a prima facie case against him.

Central to Soren's petition was the argument that the Lokpal's order disregarded his objections based on the timing of the complaint. Soren highlighted Section 53 of the Lokpal and Lokayukta Act 2013, which prohibits investigations after a certain limitation period. He contended that the complaint, filed seven years post-incident, was thus inadmissible.

Additionally, Soren's application pointed out that the Lokpal proceedings stemmed from a complaint dated August 5, 2020. Despite the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) starting a preliminary probe in July 2021 against Soren, his wife, and children, he claimed not to have received any copy of the complaint until February 2022.

Soren further challenged the Lokpal's August 2022 order and objected to its September 2020 directive, which instructed the CBI to conduct a preliminary investigation and submit a report. The allegations against Soren focus on the accumulation of significant wealth and assets through illicit means in Jharkhand over a decade, purportedly involving his family members and various entities across several districts.

Asserting his innocence, Soren vehemently denied these allegations, dismissing them as malicious and politically motivated. He accused BJP MP Nishikant Dubey of fabricating the complaint for political vendetta, arguing that it lacked substantial evidence of corruption.

The High Court's refusal to intervene underscores the continuation of the legal process, allowing for a thorough examination of the charges against Soren. As the legal battle unfolds, attention is riveted on how the veteran politician navigates these serious allegations and upholds his reputation.