Coal mafia under scanner as ED raids 24 locations in Bengal and Jharkhand
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched extensive search operations across West Bengal and parts of Jharkhand in connection with a major money laundering investigation linked to the coal mafia.
More than 100 ED officials fanned out across 24 locations starting at 6 am, targeting premises connected to coal traders, mining contractors and suspected illegal toll operators in Kolkata, Howrah and Asansol—the heart of the state’s coal belt in West Burdwan.
Key premises raided
According to the agency, the searches covered the offices and residences of several individuals, including:
- Narendra Kharka
- Yudhistar Ghosh
- Krishna Murari Kayal
- Chinmayi Mondal
- Rajkoshore Yadav
- Others linked to coal trading and transportation
While the ED confirmed their names, it did not disclose specific links or roles in the alleged racket.
Raids extend to Jharkhand
Simultaneous operations were also conducted in Jharkhand, particularly in Dhanbad, another major coal mining hub, as part of the widening probe into illegal coal extraction and siphoning.
High-value coal theft under scanner
ED officials told PTI that the case involves “significant” coal pilferage that caused a loss of hundreds of crores of rupees to the exchequer. The illegal network allegedly operated through unregulated mining, unauthorized storage and manipulated transportation routes.
Years of illegal mining flagged
West Bengal’s coalfields span Birbhum, Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman and Bankura districts.
The investigation traces back to 2020, when Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) filed a complaint with the CBI.
- Between 2020 and 2021,
- 597 FIRs were filed
- 28 people were arrested or detained in connection with illegal mining activities
The ED’s fresh action is seen as one of the largest coordinated crackdowns in recent years targeting the coal mafia nexus in eastern India.
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