New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized a passbook and a cheque book, including two signed cheques, of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren from the house of his alleged close associate Pankaj Mishra.

ED also recovered and seized several files with bank documents of Hemant Soren and his family members

The ED in its chargesheet against Hemant Soren’s representative Pankaj Mishra, has revealed that these bank documents were found during searches at Jain’s residence in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj on July 8 last.

“One sealed envelope containing passbook and two cheque books containing two signed cheques bearing numbers 004718 & 004719 and 31 blank cheques bearing number from 0004720 to 004750 all pertaining to account number 593210110003422 in the name of Hemant Soren held with Bank of India, Sahibganj Branch,” reads the chargesheet while mentioning details of seizure.

The ED also recovered and seized several files with bank documents of Hemant Soren and his family members from the houses of different suspects who are on the scanner of the probe agency in the illegal mining case.

In its chargesheet, the ED further alleged that using his close association with the chief minister, Pankaj Mishra was actively involved in illegal mining and diverting crores of rupees under the instruction of Hemant Soren.

Pankaj Mishra was earlier arrested by the ED and is presently in judicial custody. The ED also seized crores in cash after searching several premises of accused in connection with the said case.

Along with bank documents and cash, the officials also seized an inland vessel worth Rs 30 crore, being operated at the behest of Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren’s representative Pankaj Mishra.

The vessel was being operated illegally without any permit from the Sukargarh Ghat in Jharkhand’s Sahibganj at the behest of Rajesh Yadav, in connivance with Pankaj Mishra and others, to transport illegally mined stone chips and boulders, the probe agency has alleged.