Ranchi, Jan. 17 -- The Jharkhand high court on Friday stayed all proceedings arising out of a case registered against the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) officials at the Airport police station case by a money-laundering accused, Santosh Kumar, observing that it cannot remain a "mute spectator" in view of the facts presented by the agency in its petition. Santosh, an accused in the embezzlement of more than Rs.20 crore from funds meant for the urban water supply scheme, in his FIR alleged that two ED officials, assistant director (AD) Prateek and assistant Shubham, assaulted him, attempted to murder him, verbally abused him and issued threats during his interrogation on January 12 at the regional ED office in Ranchi. On Thursday, as police reached the ED office in the morning to probe the matter, the federal agency moved the high court challenging the police action. The high court also mandated the deployment of additional central forces for the security of the ED office and held Ranchi senior superintendent of police (SSP), responsible in the event of any untoward incident occurring at the ED office. A high court advocate close to the matter said that the court, while staying the proceedings, deferred the hearing in the matter till February 9 and directed the state to file a counter-affidavit within a week. "Hearing took place in the court of justice Sanjay Dwivedi. Amit Kumar Das appeared on behalf of the ED, demanding quashing of the FIR or a CBI probe or registration of an FIR against Santosh for obstructing a public servant from discharging his duty and fabricating evidence, while Kapil Sibal, assisted by advocate Manoj Kumar, appeared on behalf of the state in virtual mode, defending the police's action," the high court advocate said. The high court order, a copy of which is in the possession of Hindustan Times, confirmed the facts. "Till the next date, there shall be a stay of further proceedings and investigation by the police in connection with Airport P.S. Case No. 05 of 2026, pending in the court of the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ranchi," the high court order read. The high court, in its order, observed that there is a provision for the protection of government officials if, in good faith, they take action under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). "The high courts are very slow in passing interim protection at the initial stage of an FIR. However, in cases like the present one brought before the high court, the high court cannot be a mute spectator. However, all these findings can be given only once the other side responds to the petition. Section 67 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act protects government officials if, in good faith, they are acting under the said Act," the order read. The high court directed the Union home secretary to depute suitable paramilitary forces at the ED office in Ranchi for its security. "In the aforesaid background, the home secretary, government of India, is directed to depute either CISF or BSF or any other paramilitary force, whichever is suitable, to the office of the Directorate of Enforcement, Ranchi. The SSP, Ranchi, is also directed to look into the security of the office of the Directorate of Enforcement, Ranchi. It is made clear that if any untoward incident occurs in the said office, the SSP, Ranchi, will be held liable for that," the order read. The court also directed the preservation of CCTV footage. "The CCTV footage installed at the premises of the Directorate of Enforcement shall be preserved," the order added. Advocate Summet Gadodia appeared suo motu on behalf of Santosh Kumar and submitted that on a telephone call, his client had gone to the office of the ED and that his name was also registered at the time of entry. He sought 10 days to file a counter-affidavit, upon which the high court directed ED lawyer Das to serve two copies of the petition upon Gadodia. The order came after ED lawyer Das, in his submission before the court, explained the seriousness of the matter, stating that the Ranchi ED office was handling several high-profile and sensitive investigations involving influential political figures and senior bureaucrats, including matters relating to chief minister Hemant Soren, former ministers, and senior IAS officers. He submitted that these investigations have wide public ramifications and are being conducted under close judicial and public scrutiny. Regarding Santosh Kumar, he submitted that Kumar was the principal accused in the misappropriation of government funds amounting to approximately Rs 23 crore from the drinking water and sanitation department, and that an ECIR case had been registered against him. He submitted that Santosh appeared before the ED office suo motu on January 12, at about 1:20 p.m. "While speaking about his involvement in the siphoning of government funds in the Peyjal scam, he became evasive and agitated. In a sudden and unprovoked attempt to disrupt the official proceedings, he picked up a glass water jug placed on the table and voluntarily struck it against his own head, causing a minor scalp injury, before the staff present could restrain him," an official quoted Das as telling the court. Das further said that ED officers took Santosh to Sadar Hospital for treatment and that he was advised to go home. Das submitted that a second medical opinion was also taken and, in this background, Santosh Kumar lodged a case with the Airport police station under sections 109(2), 117(2), and others, of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Das further submitted that on January 15, at around 6:00 a.m., pursuant to late-night communication, a substantial police presence arrived at the office premises and sought to treat the office as a crime scene, thereby disrupting the normal functioning of a central government agency. Government advocate Manoj Kumar confirmed the court developments, stating that a proper reply would be filed in the matter. "The petition was filed and listed for hearing today. Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of the state, sought time to file a reply, and the court granted time," he said....