The State Government on Monday told the Jharkhand High Court that ADG Anil Palta, who was recently transferred from CID to Railway police will continue to head special investigation team that is investigating the case related to alleged black-marketing of Remdesivir - the lifesaving medicine of Covid 19.

During the hearing on Monday the double Bench of Chief Justice Dr Ravi Ranjan and Justice Udit Narayan Prasad accepted the submission of the State Government. The court further directed that Palta will continue investigation with old team of SIT and he will also periodically submit a status report of investigation before the High Court. The hearing was conducted through video conferencing.

Notably, last week, the Jharkhand government transferred Palta as ADG of CID to railway police. Palta was heading investigation of this high profile case on the direction of Jharkhand High Court. The court was highly upset over his transfer. On the previous hearing held on June 17 the court asked the Jharkhand government as to why Palta was transferred without its approval at a time when the high court is monitoring the investigation. The court had orally observed that if the police continue with such an attitude; then the high court will have to refer the investigation to the CBI. The high court is hearing a bunch of PIL regarding preparations of the state government to fight the Covid 19 pandemic. 

The president of Jharkhand State Bar Council Rajendra Krishna had intervened in the matter and raised objection over transfer of Palta. Krishna alleged the state government transferred an officer who had promised the court for a fair investigation. He had also requested the court to pass an order for continuation of Palta as ADG of CID till the probe is completed.  

However, the advocate general said that CID is investigating the case in a professional manner and his transfer is a routine matter, and he was not the investigating officer of the case.