The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a major crackdown on alleged illegal coal mining and the illicit coal trade in Jharkhand, conducting simultaneous raids at 25 locations across Dhanbad district.
According to sources, the agency deployed 25 teams to carry out searches at the premises of several individuals allegedly linked to the illegal coal business.
Those under the ED's scanner include coal traders LB Singh, Anil Goel, Ganesh Yadav, Pappu Mandal, Anoop Chauhan, Harendra Chauhan, former Assembly election candidate Rohit Yadav, and some of their associates.
The searches are part of the ED's investigation into an alleged network involved in illegal coal mining, transportation and storage. Sources said the agency has registered four separate Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) in connection with the case and initiated a detailed probe into the suspected financial irregularities.
It is suspected that substantial assets may have been accumulated through proceeds generated from the illegal coal trade. The ongoing investigation is focused on tracing financial transactions, identifying the flow of funds and establishing the alleged money trail.
During the searches, ED officials are scrutinising documents, financial records and other material evidence believed to be relevant to the investigation. Tight security arrangements have been put in place at all the search locations to ensure the operation proceeds without disruption.
The agency aims to uncover the full extent of the alleged illegal coal mining network and determine the role of those suspected to be involved. The searches were continuing at the time of filing this report.
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