CCTV Seizure at ED HQ: Former Official’s Torture Allegations Rock Jharkhand

In a dramatic and unprecedented development, Ranchi police on Thursday raided the zonal office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and seized CCTV footage following serious allegations of physical assault against a former Jharkhand government employee. The move has triggered speculation of an escalating confrontation between a central investigative agency and the state police, raising broader concerns over human rights and investigative conduct.

According to police sources, a team led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), along with the officer-in-charge of the Airport police station, arrived at the ED office in the early hours to secure video recordings considered crucial evidence in the case. While no official police statement has been issued so far, insiders confirmed that the footage will be subjected to detailed forensic examination.

Allegations of Custodial Torture

The controversy stems from a complaint filed on January 12 by a retired employee of the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department. The complainant alleged that ED officials subjected him to physical torture during questioning in connection with an alleged water supply scam.

The allegations, if substantiated, could place the central agency under intense scrutiny and open a new debate on interrogation methods employed by investigative bodies.

Heightened Security and Institutional Sensitivity

Following the police action, security around the ED office in Ranchi has been significantly tightened, with CISF personnel deployed to prevent any untoward incidents. The episode has heightened institutional sensitivity, with officials wary of the legal and political ramifications of the police raid.

The development mirrors similar tensions witnessed in recent months in states such as West Bengal, where the ED has faced accusations of overreach and political targeting.

Political Fallout and Opposition Reactions

The incident has quickly snowballed into a political flashpoint. Leader of the Opposition in Jharkhand, Babulal Marandi, strongly criticised the police action, alleging that the raid was aimed at tampering with or destroying evidence related to alleged multi-crore corruption cases involving Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

In a series of posts on social media platform X, Marandi claimed that the police move was being carried out “in the name of investigation” but could ultimately compromise sensitive documents linked to ongoing probes.

Hemant Soren and ED: A History of Confrontation

Chief Minister Hemant Soren has been under the ED’s scanner for an extended period. In January 2024, Soren filed a complaint under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act against ED officials, accusing them of targeting him politically through a money laundering raid at his Delhi residence.

That case remains pending before the Jharkhand High Court, while the Supreme Court has declined to intervene, allowing legal proceedings to continue at the state level.

Legal and Federal Implications Ahead

Legal experts believe the Ranchi episode could evolve into a significant constitutional and federal dispute, redefining the boundaries between central agencies and state law enforcement. Questions around jurisdiction, accountability, and civil liberties are expected to dominate the discourse in the coming days.

As investigations proceed and political rhetoric intensifies, the confrontation may test Centre–state relations and set precedents with long-term implications for India’s federal structure and investigative framework.