Ranchi, Sept. 30 -- A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Ranchi on Wednesday framed charges against Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, paving the way for the trial in a money laundering case related to an alleged 8.86-acre land fraud, people familiar with the matter said.

The case pertains to the alleged illegal acquisition and transfer of the land in the Bargain area of the state capital. Besides Soren, 16 others are also made accused.

The development came hours after the Jharkhand High Court refused to entertain Soren's plea seeking immediate stay on the trial court's proceedings.

ED counsel Amit Kumar Das said, "The court has framed charges against Hemant Soren under Section 3 of the PMLA. The matter has ...