Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at around 10 locations across West Bengal in connection with an alleged illegal coal mining and transportation case, officials said.

The raids began early in the day under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and covered premises linked to several individuals, including Bengal Police officer-in-charge Manoranjan Mondal, as well as Kiran Khan, Sekh Akhtar, Prabir Datta and Mirza Hesamuddin Baig.

According to officials, the investigation relates to the suspected illegal extraction and transportation of coal from mines in the state, allegedly causing substantial losses to the public exchequer. The ED is probing the generation and laundering of proceeds of crime arising from the illegal coal trade.

The alleged coal smuggling network in West Bengal has been under the scrutiny of central agencies for several years. The case came to light after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR alleging large-scale pilferage of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) mines in the Asansol region and nearby areas. Following this, the ED launched a parallel money-laundering investigation to trace financial transactions and identify beneficiaries.

Investigators have earlier alleged that illegally mined coal was transported using forged documents, with the involvement of certain officials and private individuals. The money generated through the illicit trade is suspected to have been routed through multiple channels to conceal its origin.

Officials said the ongoing searches are aimed at collecting evidence related to financial dealings, property acquisitions and possible links between public servants and private individuals involved in the case. Documents, digital devices and other materials are being examined as part of the probe.
Agencies