Introduction:

The Supreme Court disposed of a plea by former Jharkhand Chief Minister challenging his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate, deeming it “infructuous” following the Jharkhand High Court’s dismissal of a similar petition. Hemant Soren had sought relief from the delay in the High Court’s judgment despite concluding arguments earlier.

Arguments:

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Hemant Soren, argued against treating the petition as “infructuous,” citing potential delays in the ED’s response to a fresh petition. Soren’s contention revolved around his right to fair treatment by the High Court, expressing concerns about additional delays in seeking justice.

Court’s Judgement:

The bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta clarified that while the current petition stands dismissed, all arguments could be raised in the new petition challenging the High Court’s verdict. Despite Sibal’s plea, the court affirmed its stance, allowing for comprehensive arguments in the forthcoming petition.