In a move that can escalate the tussle between State Government and Central agencies, the Ranchi district administration has lodged an FIR against senior CRPF personnel for “violating” prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC during the questioning of Chief Minister Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with money laundering case.
The FIR has been registered at Gonda police station which is a stone throw distance from Chief Minister residence at Kanke road. A senior police officer of Gonda PS confirming the registration of FIR said, “We have registered an FIR against CRPF IG, commandant and other personnel for violating provisions of Section 144 in the vicinity of the chief minister's residence on Sunday."
The FIR was lodged after the ruling party JMM alleged that around 500 security forces from central armed force (CRPF) tried to enter the CM residence without any permission at the time when the Enforcement Directorate were questioning CM in connection with money laundering case.
The JMM claimed that CRPF trying to enter the Chief Minister's residence was illegal and an attempt to provoke Soren's supporters who were already demonstrating nearby.
Reacting to the complaint, the district administration has lodged an FIR against CRPF for violation of Section 144 of the CrPC, which was imposed around Chief Minister's house.
JMM alleged that CRPF personnel, in 10 buses, without any permit by the district administration tried to enter CM residence adding that the jawans also had a scuffle with Soren's supporters.
"Hundreds of CRPF personnel, around 500, in buses tried to enter CM's residence without any permission or information. The act is provocative and illegal," the party alleged.
"They wanted the agitators and party workers to attack CRPF personnel so that the state government can be accused of failure of the constitutional system and the ground for imposing the President's rule can be prepared," it claimed.
The ruling party has also demanded a high level probe and legal action against CRPF officers.
The CRPF officials, however, contended the move saying that security was tightened in the area with heavy deployment of forces in the wake of the attacks on ED officers during raids on TMC leaders in neighbouring West Bengal.
The chaos took place as the Enforcement Directorate was questioning Soren on Saturday in connection with a money laundering case linked to land deals.
Probe agency officials reached Soren's residence, which was virtually turned into a fortress with heavy deployment of security forces, around 1 pm for the interrogation, and left after over seven hours around 8:30 pm.