Former Ranchi DC Chhavi Ranjan Released After 893 Days in Jail

Supreme Court Grants Conditional Bail in Army and Cheshire Home Land Case

Key Points:

• Chhavi Ranjan freed after over two years in judicial custody
• Supreme Court grants conditional bail in money laundering case
• Court restricts foreign travel without prior permission

RANCHI – Former Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Chhavi Ranjan finally walked out of Birsa Munda Central Jail in Hotwar on Monday after spending 893 days behind bars. He had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on May 4, 2023, in connection with the Army and Cheshire Home land scam and had remained in judicial custody since then.

The Supreme Court granted him conditional bail in the money laundering case linked to the alleged land scam. According to the court’s order, Ranjan must appear in person on every date of hearing and cannot leave the country without prior permission from the court.

As part of his bail conditions, he submitted two bail bonds worth ₹1 lakh each in the PMLA court. His wife and a close relative stood as sureties for the bonds.

Earlier, Ranjan had already been granted bail in the Cheshire Home land scam case but had not availed it. However, with the Supreme Court’s relief in the Army land case, he is now free for the first time in nearly two and a half years.

Observers note that while his release marks a major development, his legal battle is far from over. The investigation into the money laundering charges continues, and the next phase of the case will determine whether Ranjan can clear his name from the allegations that led to his long incarceration.