Jharkhand police investigate assault allegation against ED officials in Ranchi

Jharkhand Police have reached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Ranchi to investigate allegations of assault during an interrogation. The action follows a formal complaint by Santosh Kumar, who accused ED officials of physical abuse, threats, and detention during questioning related to a financial case. Security at the office has been increased, with Central Police Forces deployed for support.

Santosh Kumar, an employee of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) posted as a cashier in Ranchi, filed an FIR at Airport Police Station naming ED Assistant Director Prateek and officer Assistant Shubham. He accused them of assault, attempted murder, verbal abuse, and criminal intimidation while conducting interrogation over alleged embezzlement of more than ₹20 crore in the urban water supply scheme.

According to the FIR, Kumar was called to the ED office on January 12 and allegedly summoned to a cabin around 1:35 pm. He claims he was pressured to confess, physically assaulted with a stick, verbally abused, and detained until 10:45 pm, preventing contact with family, lawyer, or police. He also alleged threats against his family and coercion to sign documents.

Kumar reportedly suffered a head injury during the alleged assault and was treated at Sadar Hospital with six stitches. He further claimed that at the hospital, he was threatened not to reveal the cause of his injuries, and upon return to the ED office, his blood-stained clothing was replaced to destroy evidence.

The allegations relate to an ongoing financial investigation. An FIR against Kumar had been registered on December 18, 2023, for allegedly transferring ₹2.17 crore to a fake account using forged documents. The Enforcement Directorate continues its probe into the financial irregularities while the police investigation into the assault allegations proceeds.