The Jharkhand High Court has immediately halted the Ranchi Police investigation into the alleged assault on money-laundering accused Santosh Kumar at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Ranchi. This decision came following a criminal writ petition filed by the ED challenging the FIR and police actions against its officials. The court emphasized that obstructing the functioning of a federal investigating agency under the guise of a police investigation is unacceptable.
The High Court’s interim order aims to prevent any adverse impact on the federal agency’s operations due to the ongoing police actions against ED officials. As a result, the Ranchi Police probe has been temporarily stayed. The court has instructed the Jharkhand government to respond within seven days, with complainant Santosh Kumar given ten days to submit his reply. A further hearing on the matter is scheduled for February 9.
In addition, the court has mandated the transfer of security at the ED office in Ranchi to the CISF, BSF, or any central paramilitary force. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Ranchi has been tasked with ensuring adequate security at the ED office. This order has brought relief to the two ED officials against whom an FIR was lodged on January 12 at the Ranchi Airport Police Station.
Furthermore, the court has directed the ED to preserve all CCTV footage related to the incident at its office. The ED had previously approached the High Court alleging “raid-like” actions by the Jharkhand Police at its Ranchi office and requested the quashing of the FIR, a stay on the state police investigation, and the transfer of the probe to the CBI. The dispute arose after Santosh Kumar, an employee of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department (PHED) and a money-laundering case accused, lodged a complaint of assault, abuse, and torture during questioning at the ED office on January 12, which the ED has denied.
