High Court Says Trial Must Continue Despite Soren's Appeal for Pause

The Jharkhand High Court reiterated that procedural approvals cannot be used to stall criminal proceedings. Chief Minister Hemant Soren's request to suspend the Enforcement Directorate's money‑laundering case was denied, with Judge Sujit Narayan Prasad stating that the trial should move forward under the existing legal framework.

Soren's counsel highlighted that the case lacked prior clearance under Section 197 of the CRPC, while the Enforcement Directorate argued that Section 218 of the BNS Act suffices. The court found the arguments unpersuasive for granting a stay.

The judgment indicated that any decision on the relevance of the alleged financial dealings to Soren's official duties will depend on documentary evidence presented during trial. The High Court clarified that its remarks pertain solely to the stay application and will not affect the proceedings in the special PMLA court in Ranchi.