Jharkhand HC Quashes 2014 Model Code of Conduct Case Against CM Hemant Soren

Ranchi: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday secured a major legal victory after the Jharkhand High Court quashed an FIR registered against him over an alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct during the 2014 Assembly elections, bringing all criminal proceedings in the case to an end.

The order was passed by Justice Anil Kumar Choudhary after hearing detailed arguments from both sides.

The case stemmed from an FIR (Case No. 418/2014) lodged at Adityapur police station in Seraikela-Kharsawan district, alleging that Soren had violated the Election Commission's Model Code of Conduct during the 2014 Jharkhand Assembly polls.

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Challenging the FIR, Soren had moved the High Court, arguing that the case was legally untenable and seeking its dismissal. The petition had remained pending before the court for several years.

During the proceedings, the High Court had earlier stayed the trial court proceedings while continuing to hear the matter on merits.

Appearing for the Chief Minister, senior advocate Pradeep Chandra argued that no violation of the Model Code of Conduct had taken place and contended that the FIR was politically motivated. He submitted that Soren had merely participated in election campaigning for a candidate of his party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), and had committed no offence.

After examining the records, documents and legal submissions made by both the petitioner and the state government, the High Court found no sufficient grounds to continue the criminal case.

Accordingly, the court allowed Soren's criminal writ petition and quashed the FIR, effectively ending all legal proceedings arising out of the 2014 case.

With inputs from IANS