Sahibganj SP Naushad Alam faces further ED interrogation, denies allegations of influencing witness

Ranchi: Sahibganj Superintendent of Police (SP) Naushad Alam underwent a second round of questioning at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) zonal office in Ranchi on Tuesday, as he faces allegations of influencing ED witness Vijay Hansda in connection with an illegal mining case. The ED officials grilled Naushad Alam for about ten minutes, specifically focusing on his role in arranging a ticket for Hansda to travel to Delhi.

Naushad Alam firmly denied his involvement, asserting that the Sahibganj Police had merely provided a bodyguard to Vijay Hansda following court instructions. According to the SP, Hansda had applied to the Supreme Court for permission to travel to Delhi with a bodyguard in relation to a case. Due to the unavailability of a railway warrant on the scheduled Sunday, Naushad Alam, following orders from the Dumka DIG, facilitated Hansda’s travel with a bodyguard to ensure security. The SP claimed that he had directed Sergeant Vaibhav Kumar in Ranchi to confirm the ticket for Hansda.

The ED had issued a summons to Naushad Alam to appear for questioning at 10:30 am on Tuesday, following a previous summons on November 22, which the SP had requested to reschedule. During Tuesday’s interrogation, the ED also sought details about Naushad Alam’s properties, and he is now required to provide this information through an affidavit.

Naushad Alam is accused of influencing Vijay Hansda after assuming the role of SP in Sahibganj, subsequently turning the witness hostile in the illegal mining case. Additionally, he is alleged to have arranged a ticket for Hansda to travel to Delhi in the Pankaj Mishra vs. Vijay Hansda case. The ED’s ongoing investigation involves scrutinizing the details of Naushad Alam’s postings and property acquisitions.

Prior to visiting the ED office, Naushad Alam had informed Jharkhand Police Headquarters about the case, seeking suggestions and showing officials the relevant documents. The SP had previously written to the ED, requesting additional time and a rescheduled appearance date based on advice from the police headquarters.