THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, January 15: Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the Jharkhand government and police, alleging that the police force is working to protect fraudsters and corrupt individuals and has turned into an extortion gang.
Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office, Marandi said the situation in Jharkhand has become so grave that “no one is safe in the state today.” He accused the government of misusing the police machinery to shield scamsters instead of taking action against corruption.
ACB and Police Under Fire
Marandi criticised the Jharkhand Police’s action against the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the water supply scheme scam, and also questioned the functioning of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in corruption cases.
Referring to the liquor scam, he alleged that the ACB’s prompt arrests are merely “match-fixing.”
“First, they show speed by making arrests, then deliberately do not file charge sheets within 90 days, allowing the accused to get default bail,” he said.
He claimed that IAS officers Vinay Choubey, Sudhir Kumar, Neeraj Kumar, Mahesh, Paresh Thakor and Vikram Thakur secured bail due to this deliberate delay.
Marandi further alleged that the ACB leaks information, strikes deals, and then stages arrests. “This has become a business model of the ACB,” he said.
Santosh Kumar Case and ED Office Raid
Explaining the controversy involving Santosh Kumar in the water supply scam, Marandi said Kumar had earlier avoided appearing before the ED despite repeated summons.
“When he finally appeared and gave contradictory statements, the ED said his wife would also be questioned. He then injured himself by hitting his head against a wall, received treatment and returned home normally,” Marandi alleged.
He said that the very next day, Santosh Kumar filed a case against ED officials at Airport Police Station, following which Jharkhand Police reached the ED office. “This entire episode raises serious questions,” he said.
Demand for Court Intervention
Marandi questioned the appointment of the new Director General of Police (DGP), alleging that it was done to protect scamsters. He urged the Jharkhand High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter and demanded a CBI inquiry.
“There is an atmosphere of anarchy, loot and corruption in the state. The BJP will not allow this to continue,” he said.
Abducted Children Case
On the recovery of children abducted from Dhurwa, Marandi accused the police of violating legal procedures. He said instead of producing the children before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), police officers held press conferences with them.
He pointed out that the children were missing between January 2 and January 8, but the police intelligence system failed. “The children were rescued due to media pressure and efforts of social activists,” he said.
Marandi demanded that the announced reward money be given to social activists Sachin Prajapati, W. Sahu and Sunny, who helped rescue the children. He warned that if police officers claim the reward for themselves, the BJP will protest.
He added that if the police had been effective, 413 children would not still be missing in Jharkhand.
BJP media in-charge Shivpujan Pathak, spokesperson Ajay Sah, and Vijay Chaurasia were present at the press conference.
