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Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, implored the Supreme Court today to order Soren's release from jail while he contests the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Sibal asserted that Soren's eventual release from jail was not in doubt, but the timing of his release was crucial. He stressed that the Lok Sabha elections were imminent, and Soren's incarceration would hinder his ability to participate effectively in the campaign.
Initially, the bench led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna expressed a willingness to list the matter during the court's vacation period, which would have effectively delayed Soren's release until after the elections. However, Sibal strongly objected to this proposal, arguing that it would effectively disenfranchise Soren and deprive him of his right to contest the elections.
Sibal went on to cite the recent example of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was granted interim bail by the court to allow him to campaign in the upcoming assembly elections. Sibal argued that Soren was entitled to the same consideration, given the importance of the Lok Sabha elections.
After some deliberation, the bench agreed to list the matter for hearing on May 17, though Justice Khanna cautioned that there was no guarantee that the matter would be taken up on that day due to the heavy caseload. Sibal agreed to take the chance, expressing hope that the court would recognize the urgency of Soren's situation.
The case, titled HEMANT SOREN Versus DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT AND ANR., SLP(Crl) No. 6611/2024, is now scheduled to be heard on May 17. The outcome of the hearing will determine whether Soren will be released from jail in time to participate in the Lok Sabha elections.