The seized mobile phone of Bhanu Pratap Prasad, an accused in the Jharkhand land scam, has become the subject of a case against former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who has been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Hemant Soren’s key evidence.

Prasad, a former tax sub-inspector at Circle Office in Ranchi Baragai, was allegedly part of a syndicate that forcibly acquired properties. His phone showed photos of land records directly implicating Solon, according to the agency.

“An image containing a list of lands illegally acquired and owned by Shri Hemant Soren, which falls within his jurisdiction and has a total area of ​​about 8.5 acres (approx.) has also been recovered (Call from Bhanu Pratap Prasad),” ED told the court to also seek custody of Soren. The agency alleged that Soren’s then chief marketing officer directed Prasad to conduct physical verification of the plots.

Soren denied the allegation and called the ED’s case “political” but the agency claimed that it had intercepted several chats from Prasad’s phone that were suggestive of Soren.

“During the search, the mobile phone of Bhanu Pratap Prasad was seized and the data therein was extracted in his presence during his detention. In that mobile phone, Several chats and messages related to cash transactions, obtaining illegal benefits of land for others were found,” ED told the court.

According to ED officials, Prasad acquired properties for many people, including the former Jharkhand chief minister. Officials claimed his statement and his mobile phone were key evidence in this regard.

The ED has also directly linked Soren to the cash recovered from his South Delhi residence. Officials said Rs 36,500 was seized from the cupboard of the room used by Soren.

The agency wants to question Soren about other documents related to the land scam, which were recovered from the same premises.