A local PMLA court on Wednesday framed charges against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren in the money laundering case linked to 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi’s Bargai area, with Soren appearing before the court through video conference.

Soren has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and incorrect. The framing of charges paves the way for trial. The next hearing is scheduled for November 30.

Speaking to the media in Ranchi, Soren’s counsel Sanjeev Sahay said: “We had filed a writ petition in the High Court in which we had challenged Section 44 (1)(d) saying that it is constitutionally unreasonable. The Honourable High Court has issued notice on it today. We pleaded not guilty.”

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Soren is the 17th accused in the case; charges against the other 16 have already been framed.

The case concerns 8.86 acres of land in Ranchi’s Bargain circle, which investigators claim was acquired using forged land records and documents. The ED arrested Soren on January 31, 2024. He was granted bail in June 2024.

In his criminal writ petition before the Jharkhand High Court, Soren argued that charges should not be framed until the probe was completed. That petition is still pending in court.

On Wednesday, Soren, who appeared before the court through video link, sought more time to examine documents related to the case.