The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched a large-scale search operation across Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation into alleged coal mafia activities in the two neighbouring states, officials said.
More than 40 locations were raided beginning at around 6 am, with nearly 100 officers and staff of the federal agency deployed. Central security forces accompanied the ED teams to ensure security during the operation.
According to officials, the search teams covered residences, offices, toll collection booths, and check posts, acting under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
During the raids, the ED seized cash and gold jewellery from several premises.
Jharkhand Raids
In Jharkhand, the agency searched around 18 locations linked to individuals and entities allegedly associated with coal theft and smuggling.
According to sources, premises connected to Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, L. B. Singh, and Amar Mandal were among those covered.
Officials said the scale of the alleged coal pilferage is “significant,” involving losses amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees to the government.
West Bengal Raids
In West Bengal, the ED conducted searches at about 24 locations, including districts such as Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata.
Among those whose premises were searched are Narendra Kharka, Yudhistar Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal, Chinmayi Mondal, and Rajkoshore Yadav, officials said.
The raids focus on alleged illegal coal mining, transportation, and storage operations, which the agency suspects are part of a wider money laundering network.
