In a significant development, the Jharkhand government has revoked the suspension of IAS officer Chhavi Ranjan (IAS:2011:JH) with effect from October 14, 2025, the day he was released from jail following bail granted by the Supreme Court in a money laundering case related to a land scam.
Ranjan, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 4, 2023, had been in judicial custody for over 29 months. The decision to lift his suspension came after he formally requested the state government to review his case.
Officials indicated that Ranjan is likely to be assigned a new posting soon. The Supreme Court had on October 10 granted him conditional bail, directing that he must not influence witnesses and cannot leave Jharkhand without prior permission from the trial court. He has also been ordered to appear personally on all hearing dates.
Before his arrest, Ranjan served as Deputy Commissioner of Ranchi and was later posted in the Department of Social Welfare. The case against him pertains to the alleged fraudulent purchase and sale of land in Bariatu, under the Bargai circle of Ranchi, reportedly under the possession of the Indian Army.
Ranjan held charge as Ranchi Deputy Commissioner from July 15, 2020, to July 11, 2022, during which the alleged irregularities are said to have taken place.
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