Allegations of Surveillance Against Former Jharkhand Chief Minister

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused the Jharkhand government of conducting surveillance on former Chief Minister Champai Soren.

During a press conference held on August 28, 2024, Sarma stated that two sub-inspectors from the Special Branch of the Jharkhand Police were apprehended while monitoring Soren’s activities in Delhi.

Sarma claimed that these officers were observing Soren at a hotel and were identified by Soren’s associates, after which they were handed over to the Delhi Police for questioning.

According to the Assam Chief Minister, the two sub-inspectors indicated that their orders to track Soren originated from a person in a constitutional position as well as the Special Branch chief.

Sarma expressed concerns over possible phone tapping and the possibility of a planned “honey trap,” citing that a woman had been seen meeting with the officers during their surveillance.

He asserted that Soren had been under surveillance for five months, even prior to his discussions with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Soren, who is expected to resign from his current positions and join the BJP, stated that he feels no fear despite being monitored, indicating his readiness for struggles.

He plans to officially join the BJP on August 30, 2024, highlighting his motivation to protect tribal identity in Jharkhand amid concerns of infiltration.

Champai Soren, who briefly served as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand, expressed that he felt insulted and marginalized within his former party, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), leading to his decision to switch political affiliations.