Jharkhand High Court Intervenes in ED-Police Standoff
The Jharkhand High Court issued a significant order on Friday. It stayed the police investigation against Enforcement Directorate officers. This investigation stemmed from an FIR registered at the Airport police station in Ranchi.
Court Questions Police Raid as 'Pre-Planned'
Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwide heard a writ petition filed by the ED. The court made a crucial observation. It stated that the recent police raid on the ED's Ranchi office appeared, prima facie, to be "pre-planned." This remark came during the hearing on Friday.
Central Security Ordered for ED Premises
The court directed specific actions to ensure the central agency's security and proper legal procedure.
- The court ordered the ED to implead the Union Home Secretary as a party to the case.
- It instructed the Union Home Secretary to depute central armed police forces. These forces include the CRPF or BSF. Their task is to provide security to the ED office and its officers in Ranchi.
- Justice Dwide also gave instructions to the local police chief. Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rakesh Ranjan must ensure adequate security at the ED premises. The court issued a stern warning. Any lapse in security would make the SSP personally accountable.
Background of the Legal Dispute
The Enforcement Directorate approached the high court on Thursday. The agency sought a CBI probe into the state police's raid. It alleged direct interference in its functioning by the state police.
During the hearing, the ED's counsel provided context. The agency was probing a former Jharkhand government employee, Santosh Kumar. This probe related to an alleged scam worth Rs 23 crore. The ED argued that the police action disrupted this ongoing investigation.
The FIR in question was registered by Santosh Kumar at the Airport police station. It led to the police investigation against ED officers, which the court has now stayed.
The court's intervention highlights the tension between central investigative agencies and state police forces. The order for paramilitary security underscores the seriousness with which the court views the threat to the ED's operations.
