Court held that state police investigation indicated bias; thus, CBI should investigate to ensure impartiality in serious allegations involving high-profile figures.

JUDGMENT

This matter was mentioned on 15.01.2026 and seeing the urgency in the matter, this matter was allowed to be listed on 16.01.2026 and on that day, following order was passed:

“02/16.01.2026 Heard Mr. Amit Kumar Das, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and Mr. Kapil Sibal, learned senior counsel for the State appearing through Video Conferencing.

2. This criminal writ petition was mentioned yesterday by the learned counsel appearing for the petitioners and seeing the urgency in the matter, the matter was allowed to be listed and that is how, this matter has been listed today.

3. In this criminal writ petition, following prayers have been made:

(i) For issuance of appropriate writ(s)/ order(s)/, direction(s) for quashing the entire criminal proceedings including the FIR being Airport PS Case No. 5 of 2026 dated 13.01.2026, instituted for the alleged offences under Sections 109(2), 117(2), 115(2), 127(2), 351(2), 352, 238 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, which is now pending in the Court of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ranchi.

(ii) Or in alternate for issuance of appropriate writ(s)/ order(s)/ direction(s) for transferring the investigation of the allegations made in FIR being Airport P.S. Case No. 5 of 2026 to an independent agency such as Central Bureau of Investigation to conduct free and impartial investigation.

(iii) And be pleased to issue an appropriate writ, order or direction commanding the Respondent Authorities, specifically the Station House Officer, Airport Police Station, to register a First Information Report (F.I.R.) and take appropriate legal action against the informant Santosh Kumar on the basis of the Written Information/Report dated 13.01.2026 submitted by the Petitioner No. 1, which discloses cognizable offences including obstruction of public servant and fabrication of evidence, but has arbitrarily remained unattended by the Police Authorities till date. (iv) During the pendency of this Writ Application be pleased to stay proceedings arising out of Airport P.S.

Case No. 05 of 2026 against the Petitioners.

(v) Any other relief or reliefs as Your Lordships may deem fit and proper for which the petitioner is very much entitled under the facts and circumstances of the case and in the interest of justice.

4. Mr. Amit Kumar Das, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners submits that Ranchi Zonal Office of Directorate of Enforcement is presently handling several high-profile and sensitive investigations involving influential political figures and senior bureaucrats, including matters relating to Chief Minister, former Minister and senior I.A.S. officers. These investigations have wide public ramifications and are being conducted under close judicial and public scrutiny. He further submits that in this sensitive and high-stakes environment, the petitioners are discharging their statutory duties strictly in accordance with law. He then submits that petitioner no.1 is Assistant Director and petitioner no.2 is Assistant Enforcement Officer in the office of Directorate of Enforcement, Ranchi Zonal Office posted at Ranchi. He next submits that the informant, namely, Santosh Kumar is the principal accused in a large-scale misappropriation of Government funds amounting to approximately Rs.23 Crores from the Drinking Water and Sanitation Department, Government of Jharkhand. He also submits that the ECIR case has been registered against the said Santosh Kumar and he was taken into custody by the police authorities and, thereafter, he has been allowed bail. He further submits that in absence of any summon by the Directorate of Enforcement to the said Santosh Kumar, he suo motu appeared before the office of Directorate of Enfo