Big crackdown on coal mafia: ED raids over 40 locations in Jharkhand, West Bengal

In a sweeping nationwide operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched coordinated raids at over 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal, targeting a sprawling network allegedly behind a massive coal pilferage and smuggling racket.

The crackdown, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), marks a significant escalation in the probe into illegal mining, transportation and storage of coal, a scandal reported to have cost the national exchequer hundreds of crores of rupees. During the searches, officials seized substantial quantities of unaccounted cash and jewellery.

According to the India Today report, the operation was designed to dismantle the financial infrastructure of what officials describe as entrenched "coal mafias" operating across state lines. The raids aimed to map financial flows and secure evidence related to long-running extraction and transport rackets.

The day's events saw dramatic moments, particularly in the coal-rich belt of Dhanbad, Jharkhand. There, the central probe agency focused its attention on coal trader LB Singh, raiding 16 of his premises, including his home and business establishments in the Dev Bila area.

Officials faced an unusual obstruction when Singh allegedly released his pet dogs inside his residential compound in an attempt to block the entry of the ED teams. The trader remained inside the property as officials worked to secure access.

Parallel investigations unfolded simultaneously. The ED's Ranchi zonal office carried out searches at 18 locations linked to multiple probes involving entities and individuals including Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, LB Singh and Amar Mandal. Officials indicated that these cases collectively point to extensive coal theft and smuggling operations.

In a similarly large-scale action in West Bengal, the ED's Kolkata zone conducted searches at 24 premises spread across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata districts. Properties linked to individuals including Narendra Kharka, Anil Goyal, Yudhistir Ghosh and Krishna Murari Kayal were examined as part of the money laundering investigation.

The scope of the raids was comprehensive, targeting a range of establishments from residential properties and offices to coke plants and even illegal toll collection booths used to facilitate the alleged racket.