The Jharkhand High Court has continued its interim order restraining Ranchi Police from entering or conducting any investigation inside the Enforcement Directorate office in Ranchi, in a case that has triggered a sharp institutional standoff.

Hearing the matter, a bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar Dwivedi said the issue required serious consideration and extended the stay on any coercive action against ED officials. The court has fixed the next date of hearing for February 24.

The dispute stems from an FIR lodged at Airport Police Station by Santosh Kumar, who alleged that ED officials assaulted him during questioning in connection with an alleged irregularity in the state’s Drinking Water Department. Following the FIR, Ranchi Police initiated steps that prompted the ED to move the High Court.

Challenging the state police’s action, the ED has filed a criminal writ petition seeking transfer of the probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation. It has also raised concerns over security at its Ranchi office and sought directions regarding the possible deployment of central forces such as the Border Security Force or the Central Industrial Security Force.

During the hearing, the High Court directed the Jharkhand government to file its response within seven days. The private respondent, Santosh Kumar, has been asked to submit his reply within ten days. The interim stay on police action and investigation inside the ED office will continue until further orders.