The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched one of its largest coal scam crackdowns, raiding 42 locations simultaneously across West Bengal and Jharkhand. The searches, carried out by over 100 officers from 6 am, are still underway.
According to officials, the raids are linked to the ongoing investigation into the illegal mining, transportation, and storage of coal across the two states.
The ED’s Kolkata unit conducted searches at 24 locations in Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata.
Meanwhile, the agency’s Ranchi office raided 18 premises across Jharkhand.
Teams searched residences, company offices, coke plants, and illegal toll booths, accompanied by armed central forces for security.
Officials have not yet formally confirmed links between those searched and the case. However, reports indicate that one location in Bengal belonged to a contractor associated with the Asansol office of Bharat Coking Coal Limited, a Coal India subsidiary.
Suitcases of Cash, Gold Boxes Found During Raids
Photographs from the raids showed significant recoveries of cash and jewellery.
One image from Bengal showed over 30 bundles of ₹500 notes stacked in a suitcase. Each bundle appeared to hold 400–500 notes (~₹2 lakh). Total estimated recovery: Nearly ₹70 lakh.
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Another image showed 13 stacks of ₹500 notes inside a duffle bag, amounting to around ₹30 lakh.
Additionally, officials recovered: at least eight large boxes of heavy gold jewellery, several smaller boxes, a collection of silver ornaments, including an ornate necklace.
Huge Cash Seized in Jharkhand Searches
From Jharkhand, photographs revealed similarly large amounts of cash. One image showed over 30 stacks of ₹500 notes worth approximately ₹85 lakh. Another displayed mixed denominations (₹500 & ₹200) totalling more than ₹50 lakh.
Coal Scam Background: Hundreds of Complaints Since 2020
West Bengal’s coal belt spans Birbhum, Purulia, Paschim Bardhaman, and Bankura.
In 2020, Eastern Coalfields Ltd filed its first complaint regarding illegal coal theft.
Between 2020 and 2021, investigators recorded 597 complaints and arrested 28 people.
The ED’s intensified actions are expected to further heighten tensions between Bengal’s ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of next year’s elections.
As the raids continue, political reactions from both states are anticipated.
