Ranchi: The Income Tax Department on Saturday conducted searches at around nine places in Jharkhand , including the premises linked to Sunil Srivastava in Ranchi, a close aide of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and Chief Minister Hemant Soren. This comes ahead of the Jharkhand assembly elections.

According to sources, the raids were being conducted at nine places including Ranchi and Jamshedpur. Notably,  Sunil Srivastava serves as the personal secretary of CM Hemant Soren.

Earlier this week, the CBI had raided 20 places in Jharkhand in a case pertaining to illegal stone mining. The central probe agency also seized Rs 50 lakh and 61 live cartridges during the searches.

Previously in June, the Jharkhand High Court had granted bail to Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in alleged land scam case. Previously on January 31, 2024, CM Soren was arrested by the ED in connection with a land scam. The ED had questioned him for over seven hours before arresting him. Thereafter,  Soren resigned from the top post and the state saw change a leadership when his party leader took charge as the CM. 

After Hemant Soren walked out of the jail, Champai resigned from the post, paving way for Hemant Soren to return to power. 

Meanwhile, the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly will go to polls in two phases on November 13 and 20, with vote counting scheduled for November 23.

More details are awaited.