The BJP-led government has been accused of deploying the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as a means of intimidation against opposition leaders. The ED reached the residence of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today for questioning in a money laundering case. The questioning comes a day after high-voltage political drama in the state, as the Opposition BJP declared Hemant Soren as “missing” and alleged that he is evading the federal agency and also, on the day the last Budget session for Modi 2.0 starts.
The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren was later arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday soon after he resigned as chief minister. Soren tendered his resignation to Governor CP Radhakrishnan before his arrest.
Critics have pointed out that one common tactic employed by the BJP is the strategic timing of ED investigations to coincide with significant political events. Raids and probes often occur just before elections or crucial legislative sessions, allowing the ruling party to tarnish the image of opposition leaders and gain electoral advantage.
This story dates back to January 29. Amidst the political turmoil in Bihar on Monday (January 29), the ED visited Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren at his New Delhi residence. Although Soren was absent, the agency claims to have seized Rs 36 lakh in cash, a BMW registered under a benami name, and alleged “incriminating documents” in connection with a money laundering case. This move marks the fourth opposition chief minister to come under the ED’s scrutiny, following similar actions against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and others.
Baghel’s case, accused of involvement in an illegal online betting scandal, conveniently surfaced just days ahead of state assembly polls, providing ample fodder for the BJP to launch a campaign against alleged corruption. Meanwhile, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad and his son Tejashwi Yadav face allegations in a “land for jobs” scam, adding to the growing list of opposition leaders under the ED’s microscope.
The ED’s actions extend beyond chief ministers, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) colleagues also feeling the heat. Kejriwal has been served multiple notices in connection with the excise policy case, while his deputy Manish Sisodia and party MP Sanjay Singh have already been arrested. Speculations swirl regarding Kejriwal’s imminent arrest, as he refuses to comply with what he labels as politically motivated questioning.
On Monday, RJD chief Lalu Prasad was summoned for questioning by the ED in a case dating back to the mid-2000s, despite his fragile health condition. Prasad’s daughter, Rajya Sabha MP Misa Bharti, accompanied him to the ED office, decrying what she terms as “unnecessary harassment” of her family.
The ED’s selective pursuit of opposition figures raises eyebrows, particularly when contrasted with its lack of vigor in pursuing similar cases against BJP leaders. Allegations of financial irregularities against BJP Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar seem to have faded into obscurity since their alignment with the ruling party. Cases like the Vyapam scandal during the BJP’s tenure in Madhya Pradesh and numerous corruption allegations in Karnataka have similarly languished.
According to a report by The Wire, there has been a four-fold jump in ED cases since 2014; 95% of those cases are against opposition leaders. Almost 95% of the cases probed by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation against political leaders are from the opposition.
“Although the ED claims that it has a high conviction rate of 96%, the figures appear to be misplaced if one factors in the number of cases it has closed since 2005. The ED registered 5,906 cases until March 2023 but completed the probe and filed a chargesheet in only 1,142 cases – out of which it has disposed of only 25 cases, a mere 0.42 of the total number of cases. Of those 25 cases, the ED has managed convictions in 24 cases, which is around a 96% conviction rate as claimed by the agency,” The Wire added.