THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
New Delhi, July 15: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested four individuals, including three employees of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and one outsider, on charges of illegal extortion from coal traders at CCL’s Argada Colliery.
The investigation revealed that a sum of ₹1,800 was being extorted per truck, and the prime accused, Ayodhya Karmali, was allegedly earning around ₹10 lakh per month through this illegal operation.
The individuals arrested by the CBI include Ayodhya Karmali, Mukesh Kumar, Prakash Mahli, and Vijay Kumar Singh. Ayodhya Karmali serves as a manager at the Gidi-A Colliery Project Office of CCL.
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Mukesh Kumar is employed as a clerk at the Gidi-A Colliery, while Prakash Mahli is also an employee at the same colliery.
Vijay Kumar Singh, the fourth accused, is not a CCL employee but an outsider who operates as a coal lifter.
During a forensic check of Vijay’s mobile phone, details were found of a payment of ₹2.03 lakh made to Ayodhya Karmali through Mukesh Kumar. Additionally, payments amounting to ₹4.98 lakh were traced to Prakash Mahli from other coal lifters.
Notably, the CBI, acting on complaints of illegal extortion during coal lifting operations at the CCL colliery, conducted a joint investigation along with CCL’s vigilance team on March 6, 2025, at the Gidi Colliery.
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During the investigation, evidence of illegal collection per truck was found, following which an FIR was registered by the CBI on June 5. The FIR named three CCL employees as accused. The arrests were made after the employees failed to cooperate with the investigation.
