Ranchi, Sept. 19 -- The Jharkhand High Court on Friday rejected Chief Minister Hemant Soren's plea seeking an immediate stay on proceedings against him before the Special PMLA Court here in connection with the alleged Bargain land purchase case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Following the dismissal of his petition, the Chief Minister is now likely to appear in person before the Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court in Ranchi today, where the case is scheduled for the crucial stage of framing of charges.

Soren had approached the High Court challenging the special PMLA court's June decision, which had rejected his discharge application. In June, the special trial court held that the ED had placed suffi...