THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Ranchi, Nov 22: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Rai said the Enforcement Directorate is not capable of dismantling the Dhanbad coal mafia on its own, arguing that the illegal mining network is shielded by political and administrative protection that goes far beyond the agency’s mandate.
Roy said the ED can seize black money, investigate financial irregularities, collect evidence of money laundering, and expose parts of the illegal network, but “it is impossible for the ED alone to strike at the root of corruption” because the coal mafia enjoys open protection from political interference.
“Coal mafia has direct access to powerful systems”
In a statement, Roy said the coal mafia in Dhanbad maintains direct links with influential systems in both the central and state governments. He alleged that political actors within these systems are actively involved in the mafia’s operations and that the Dhanbad district administration remains under the mafia’s control.
According to Roy, the mafia even exerts influence over the Jharkhand government secretariat. He said departmental replies in the Assembly, as well as evidence presented on various issues, often appear structured to protect the interests of the coal mafia.
He added that individuals whose premises are raided by the ED for illegal mining and money laundering routinely publish full-page advertisements showing proximity to political parties and even publicly declare their intention to contest elections on those parties’ tickets.
Roy: BCCL officials complicit, political bosses benefit
Roy said that BCCL, a central government PSU, has senior officials who are complicit with the coal mafia. He claimed that BCCL functions as a financial benefactor to political figures who patronize illegal mining operations, strengthening the nexus.
Calls for SIT to dismantle illegal mining network
To effectively dismantle the mafia, Roy said the central and state administrative units must work jointly with the ED to form Special Investigation Teams (SITs) dedicated to probing the illegal mining sector.
“Only a coordinated investigation by SITs can curb the coal mafia,” he said, adding that without such intervention, corruption in Dhanbad’s mining ecosystem will remain entrenched.