ED cracks down on coal mafia; over 40 locations raided in Jharkhand, Bengal
Ranchi, Nov 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a massive operation on Friday, conducting coordinated raids at more than 40…
Ranchi, Nov 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a massive operation on Friday, conducting coordinated raids at more than 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of an ongoing probe into illegal coal mining, theft, and smuggling networks.
The agency said these activities caused significant revenue losses running into hundreds of crores for the government.
During the raid, ED officials recovered a substantial amount of cash and jewellery from a location in West Bengal.
According to sources, the operation was jointly executed by the Ranchi and Kolkata zonal offices of the ED based on specific intelligence inputs. The sites searched include residences, offices, and commercial establishments linked to individuals suspected of involvement in the illegal coal trade.
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In Jharkhand, the Ranchi Zonal Office alone conducted raids at 18 key locations. These searches are linked to multiple major cases of illegal coal extraction and smuggling. Those under investigation include Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udyog, L.B. Singh, Amar Mandal, Narendra Kharka, and several others.
ED officials stated that large-scale coal theft and unlawful trade were allegedly carried out through an organised network, causing severe financial losses to the exchequer.
Similarly, the Kolkata Zonal Office searched 24 locations in West Bengal, connected to illegal mining, unauthorized transportation, and unlawful coal storage activities. Raids were conducted in Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata. Officials confirmed that large quantities of cash and jewellery were seized during the West Bengal searches.
