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SC Stays WB FIRs, Jharkhand HC Halts Police Probe, Orders Security for ED

Judges stepped in to protect records, pausing local cases pending rulings on alleged state interference.

Overview

  • Supreme Court termed ED’s obstruction claims in the Kolkata I-PAC searches as very serious, stayed Kolkata Police FIRs against ED officers, ordered preservation of CCTV and digital records, and set the next hearing for February 3.
  • Notices were issued to Mamata Banerjee and senior West Bengal officials as the Court examines whether state agencies can impede a central money-laundering probe tied to alleged coal smuggling.
  • Jharkhand High Court said the Ranchi police action at the ED office appeared prima facie pre-planned, stayed the local probe against ED officers, and directed deployment of CRPF or BSF to secure the ED premises.
  • The High Court told ED to implead the Union Home Secretary, held the Ranchi SSP personally accountable for any security lapse, and noted ED’s claim it has recovered ₹9 crore in a ₹23‑crore case linked to the complainant.
  • Ranchi police had collected ED office CCTV after a former state employee alleged assault during questioning; ED disputes the charge as self-inflicted injuries, has sought a CBI probe, and separately moved to add MHA and DoPT in its Supreme Court plea.