RANCHI, Sept. 21 -- The Special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Court here on Monday deferred framing charges against Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren in connection with an alleged land scam money laundering case, people aware of the development said.

The court has now scheduled the next hearing for September 24 at 3 PM, where Soren is directed to appear via video conferencing.

A civil court lawyer close to the matter informed that the reason for the deferment was technical.

"The court had previously made Soren's appearance mandatory by 4 PM on Monday allowing for either physical or virtual presence after the Jharkhand High Court on September 18 refused to stay the trial proceedings. Soren had skipped the preceding Satur...