Ranchi: The Ranchi Police on Thursday collected CCTV footage from the zonal office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) following a complaint by a former Jharkhand government employee, who alleged that he was assaulted by ED officials during interrogation, sources said.

The former employee, who worked in the state’s drinking water and sanitation department, filed a police complaint on January 12, claiming he was “thrashed” while being questioned in connection with an alleged water supply scam. A team comprising a DSP-rank officer and the airport police station in-charge visited the ED office to secure the footage.

On the condition of anonymity, a police officer said the CCTV recordings were being scrutinized as part of the investigation. Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel have been deployed at the ED office to enhance security.

The complaint has drawn political attention. Leader of Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, Babulal Marandi, raised concerns on social media that the police presence at the ED office could be used to tamper with or destroy evidence in corruption cases linked to Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

The incident comes against a backdrop of previous tensions between ED officials and Jharkhand authorities. In January 2024, Soren had filed a police complaint alleging harassment by senior ED personnel during searches at his Delhi residence related to a money laundering case tied to an alleged land scam. Soren claimed the actions caused “immense mental, psychological and emotional harm” and had requested a CBI investigation, which is currently pending before the Jharkhand High Court.

The Ranchi Police have not yet issued an official statement regarding the ongoing CCTV examination.