Jharkhand News: Saddam Hussain Seeks Bail in Jharkhand Land Scam, HC Orders ED to Respond, Hearing Scheduled for January 3, 2025

Ranchi, November 25, 2024: In a significant development, Saddam Hussain, a prominent land dealer, has moved the Jharkhand High Court seeking bail in connection with his involvement in the Bariatu army land scam. The court, hearing the matter, has directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to respond to the bail plea. The next hearing is scheduled for January 3, 2025.

Saddam Hussain, who is accused of being a key player in the illegal purchase and sale of 4.55 acres of land near Bariatu, a region that houses military land, was initially denied bail by the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court. The case, which has caught significant attention due to its ties to alleged corruption and land misappropriation, led the ED to file a chargesheet against multiple individuals, including Hussain, former Ranchi deputy commissioner Chhavi Ranjan, businessman Vishnu Agarwal and others involved in the scam.

Jharkhand Land Scam Case: ED Chargesheet Filed Against Saddam Hussain

The ED’s investigation, recorded under ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) 1/2023, revealed that Saddam Hussain, along with several accomplices, was involved in fraudulent transactions concerning the sale and purchase of the army’s land in Bariatu. The ED has filed a detailed chargesheet accusing Hussain and his associates of being directly involved in the land scam, which allegedly used forged documents to manipulate land ownership records. Other accused individuals include revenue officers and other land dealers who allegedly acted as intermediaries in the illegal transactions.

Following his initial arrest, Saddam Hussain had filed a bail application in the PMLA court, which was rejected. In a bid to secure his release, Hussain appealed to the Jharkhand High Court, challenging the lower court’s decision. The High Court, while granting Hussain’s request for a hearing, has now directed the ED to submit a reply to the bail plea within four weeks, with the next hearing set for January 3, 2025.

Saddam Hussain Bail Petition Details and Legal Proceedings

Saddam Hussain’s legal team has argued that the charges against him are politically motivated, and they are seeking his release on bail, citing his health condition and other personal factors. Hussain’s supporters have also raised concerns regarding the fairness of the investigation and the handling of the case, although the ED maintains that the investigation is transparent and based on solid evidence.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Jharkhand, given the scale of the alleged land scam involving government and military land. The investigation is ongoing, with several individuals, including government officials, under scrutiny. The outcome of the January 3 hearing will be closely watched, as it could have significant implications for the ongoing probe and legal processes surrounding the land scam.

ED Response and Future Investigations in the Bariatu Land Case

As the hearing date approaches, the Enforcement Directorate is expected to present its response to the bail petition, detailing the evidence and grounds for Hussain’s continued detention. The case is part of a broader investigation into illegal land transactions in Jharkhand, which has raised concerns over corruption within local administration and the military land dealings. The ED’s chargesheet and subsequent actions will play a critical role in determining the future course of the investigation and whether further arrests will be made.

The case of Saddam Hussain, which involves both financial misconduct and corruption allegations, continues to be a high-profile matter for the Jharkhand High Court and the Enforcement Directorate.