Soren evades arrest, row in House

Coal Minister Shibu Soren remained the subject of much protest in both Houses of Parliament even as the Jharkhand police conducted an unsuccessful search of his residence armed with a non-bailable warrant issued against him by the Jamtara district court in Jharkhand.

Even as news that Soren had resigned and then not resigned circulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh left the House soon after his statement on the drought.

But in the Rajya Sabha proceeding were adjourned three times over the issue.

Arun Jaitley (BJP) moved a breach of privilege motion against Prem Cariappa, Krishna Murthy and Raju Parmar (all Congress) for preventing Jamuna Devi Barupal (Congress) from raising a listed question relating to the coal and mines ministry during the Question Hour.

When Congress members realised that the question was raised to the absent Soren, they gesticulated to Barupal that she leave the House. This was noticed by Jaitley, Yashwant Sinha and SS Ahluwalia and they brought it to the attention of the chair.

"They prevented a member from asking a question. It is breach of privilege as the Minister of State for Coal Dasari Narayan Rao was present in the House," said BJP members.

Amid pandemonium, Chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat adjourned the House. When the House met again, BJP members demanded that Congress chief Sonia Gandhi answer to the House on the issue. This antagonised the treasury benches, leading to a commotion in the House.

The house had to be adjourned again for an hour as the Opposition members raised the issue of Soren who they said was evading arrest.

Sensing the mood, Shekhawat then adjourned the House for the day.

Soren, meanwhile, remained underground even as Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leaders claimed that he would be moving the court to secure an anticipatory bail. "Guruji will move courts to get the warrant against him quashed," said party MP Sunil Mahato.

The Jharakhand police team led by Niraj Sinha, SP, met Delhi Police officials including Police Commissioner KK Paul. "The Delhi Police have assured us full co-operation," said Sinha.