Overview
- Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi ordered the CBI to investigate an FIR alleging assault by two Enforcement Directorate officers and declined the ED’s plea to quash the case.
- Santosh Kumar, a Drinking Water and Sanitation Department employee accused in a corruption probe, alleged he was beaten inside the ED’s Ranchi office on January 12.
- Ranchi Police registered the FIR with serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and searched the ED zonal office on January 15 as part of their inquiry.
- The High Court noted the state police acted in haste, suggested possible directions from higher-ups, and extended interim protection to the ED officials.
- The ED argued the FIR was a pre-planned bid to derail a money-laundering probe linked to about Rs 23 crore, cited PMLA protections, and sought a counter-FIR while further hearings proceed.