DSP, officer move HC against ED probe in Barharwa toll plaza case

Ranchi: Deputy superintendent of police Pramod Mishra and investigating officer Sarfuddin Khan moved the Jharkhand high court on Thursday to challenge the enforcement directorate’s (ED) summons to them in the Barharwa toll plaza case. In their petition, which was filed on behalf of the state government, they said the ED does not have the right to summon them as the law and order is a state subject.
The petitioners also said a case (85/2020) was registered under the IPC sections with the Barharwa police station in which the ED is “forcefully interfering”. “The ED’s interference in the work of the state police is not legal and summons issued by the agency against these police officers should be cancelled,” the petitions said.
Last week, the police officers challenged the matter before the Supreme Court, which directed them to approach the Jharkhand high court. The petitioners in their criminal writ petition filed before the high court also said the ED is not a party in the case and it has been registered by the state police. The ED does not have the authority to summon the state police, the petitioners added.