India's Supreme Court paused criminal proceedings against Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren in a money laundering case on Feb. 25, 2026.

The Supreme Court of India has stayed criminal proceedings against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in a money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), issuing notice to the ED to respond to Soren’s plea. The stay, granted on February 25, 2026, halts trial in a Ranchi special court following the Jharkhand High Court’s earlier rejection of Soren’s request to quash the case. The ED had accused Soren of failing to appear for multiple summonses tied to a land scam probe, alleging forged documents and illicit gains. Soren, who was arrested in January 2024 and released on bail in June, argued the summonses were unjustified and politically motivated. The court’s order suspends further action while the ED submits a counter affidavit, with hearings scheduled for later review.