Ranchi, Jan 15 (NationPress) A significant political uproar has emerged in Jharkhand following the commencement of a police investigation into allegations of an assault on Santosh Kumar, an individual implicated in a money-laundering case at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office located in Ranchi.

A specialized team of senior officers from the Jharkhand Police, supported by a considerable police contingent, arrived at the ED’s regional office on Airport Road as part of the inquiry linked to an FIR filed by Santosh Kumar.

This police action at the central agency's premises has incited fierce criticism from the BJP, which characterizes the move as an infringement on the autonomy of a central investigative body orchestrated by the Hemant Soren administration.

Babulal Marandi, the Leader of the Opposition in Jharkhand, took to social media platform X to voice his grave concerns.

“We are receiving reports that police have cordoned off the ED’s regional office on Airport Road. This office holds critical evidence pertaining to corruption cases worth billions involving Chief Minister Hemant Soren and law enforcement. There’s a genuine fear that this police operation may lead to tampering or destruction of such evidence,” Marandi expressed.

He further accused the government of having previously targeted the ED in Jharkhand.

“The ED has been falsely targeted before, and workers from the JMM-Congress coalition have attempted to undermine the agency. These actions are designed to hinder the independent and fair functioning of investigative bodies. Hemant ji, we will not permit Jharkhand to devolve into a situation akin to Bengal. You will be held accountable for your corrupt actions,” he declared.

Marandi has urged the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry to intervene, ensuring the safety of the ED office in Ranchi by deploying central forces.

BJP Member of Parliament Nishikant Dubey echoed similar sentiments, alleging that the Jharkhand government was pressuring investigative agencies similar to tactics used in West Bengal.

He asserted that the police actions could be an intimidation tactic against honest officials and a means to alter vital evidence.

This controversy traces back to an FIR lodged by Santosh Kumar, a clerk embroiled in a ₹23 crore scam within the Jharkhand Drinking Water and Sanitation Department.

In his complaint, Kumar accused the ED of summoning him for questioning at their office in Hinoo on January 12. According to the FIR, upon arriving at the office of ED Assistant Director (II) Prateek around 1:35 p.m., he was coerced into confessing the allegations.

He alleged that when he resisted, Assistant Director Prateek and his aide, Shubham, verbally assaulted him and physically attacked him.

Kumar claimed he sustained a head injury that caused severe bleeding and was threatened by the officers, who purportedly said no one would care even if he died.

The complaint states that he was taken to Sadar Hospital, where he received six stitches on his head.

He also claimed he was pressured not to reveal the true reason behind his injuries to the attending physician. The FIR mentions that upon returning from the hospital, his blood-soaked T-shirt was removed, new clothes were provided, and he was compelled to sign an “incident report” without the opportunity to read it.

Consequently, a police unit led by senior officials visited the ED office, with a large number of police personnel stationed outside while the Sadar DSP, the head of Airport Police Station, and other officials were present inside. The police are currently reviewing CCTV footage from the ED office as part of their investigation and have assured that the inquiry is being conducted fairly and in line with legal procedures.

The ED categorically denied these allegations, asserting that Santosh Kumar was never summoned and that he arrived at the office voluntarily. They claimed he inflicted the head injury on himself using a glass bottle and that officials promptly transported him to the hospital. The ED also announced intentions to approach the High Court regarding this matter.