Weaponising PMLA: The Hindu Editorial on the Hemant Soren case
The grant of bail to former Jharkhand Chief Minister and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren exposes the questionable practice of the Enforcement Directorate in slapping money-laundering cases just to arrest political adversaries of the ruling dispensation. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) forces courts to render a preliminary finding on whether there is reason to believe that those jailed for laundering money are guilty of the offence and grant bail only if they record a negative finding. Weaponising such provisions against political opponents can have grave consequences for their personal liberty. In Mr. Soren’s case, he spent five months in prison and had to resign as Chief Minister when his arrest was imminent. It is equally true that when bail is granted, it cau...