NEW DELHI: WhatsApp conversations between former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and his close aide Binod Singh, recently surfaced while Soren was under the custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). These chats, now public, contain damning revelations, including discussions on sensitive government matters, property deals, and illicit activities.
The exchanges reportedly disclose confidential information about multiple properties, as well as details concerning transfer postings and the sharing of government records. It is alleged that significant sums of money were generated and transferred as a result of these dealings.
Furthermore, Binod Singh’s WhatsApp conversations with various individuals include discussions on the transfer postings of officials and the sharing of admit cards for competitive exams conducted by the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission. Notably, two names were allegedly recommended for the position of jail superintendent.
In one chat, Binod Singh purportedly offered Rs 75 lakh to Hemant Soren for the posting of officials in key positions, including the superintendents of Birsa Munda Jail and Central Jail Hazaribagh. Other chats suggest recommendations for the transfer and posting of individuals in various government roles.
Soren was placed under arrest by the ED on January 31 after a lengthy interrogation session. He had resigned from his position as Chief Minister prior to his arrest. According to the ED, during Soren’s custody, they uncovered information about several other properties, but Soren has not provided accurate details or cooperation regarding these assets.
The agency also mentioned conducting raids on Wednesday in connection with the case and expressed their intention to confront Soren with Bhanu Pratap Prasad, a revenue department sub-inspector arrested for allegedly conspiring with the former Chief Minister to acquire 12 plots of land totalling approximately 8.5 acres.
