Asansol: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday launched a massive, coordinated raid across West Bengal and Jharkhand in connection with illegal coal mining, smuggling and money laundering linked to the syndicates operating in these regions.
The operation, which began early in the morning, created panic among coal mafia networks and associated traders. Raids were conducted simultaneously in Asansol, Durgapur, Raniganj, Pandaveswar, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata.
According to ED sources, over crores of rupees in cash and a large quantity of gold and jewellery were seized from the residence of a coal trader during the raid.
The searches targeted the homes and offices of several individuals, including coal traders Narayan Khadka, Lalbabu Singh alias L.B. Singh, his brother Kumbhnath Singh, Anil Goel, Shyam Sunder Bhalotia, Sushanta Goswami, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Krishna Mohan Kayal, Narayan Nanda, and Lokesh Singh. ED carried out raids at Narayan Khadka’s properties in Salt Lake (Kolkata) and Dhanbad.
L.B. Singh and his brother reportedly own a coal outsourcing company that has contracts with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) for coal extraction.
Nearly a decade ago, the CBI and ED had raided L.B. Singh’s properties over allegations of corruption and irregularities in BCCL tenders. At that time, he was also accused of firing and hurling bombs at central investigation officers.
In 2023, ED conducted searches at the premises of Narayan Khadka as well.
Meanwhile, in Durgapur’s Bidhannagar Shalanpuria Housing Complex, ED began search operations at dawn. Central security forces accompanied the ED officials.
Sources said a raid was underway at a property belonging to Sushanta Goswami, who is suspected to have links with coal smuggling operations. Officials are also checking whether he worked at Narayan Khadka’s office.
In Asansol, ED raided the office of a coal syndicate near the Duburdihi checkpost in the Chaurangi outpost area under Kulti police station.
ED officials, along with central forces, examined employees and scrutinised key documents, financial records and digital evidence. Raids were also conducted at the homes and offices of several other individuals associated with this syndicate.
Another ED team carried out searches in Pandaveswar. In Khottadihi village’s Dona Para area, the residence of Yudhishthir Ghosh was raided starting at 5 a.m., with central security personnel deployed outside.
Sources said Yudhishthir had previously been jailed for involvement in illegal coal trade and is currently out on bail. Locals claimed he has recently been involved in illegal sand extraction and smuggling from various ghats along the Ajay river.
Speculation spread in the area about whether Friday’s ED raids, though related to coal, may also be linked to sand smuggling operations.
In Kolkata, ED conducted raids at multiple locations as well.
In Purulia, an ED team carried out a raid around 5:30 a.m. at a factory that reportedly manufactures coke coal using raw coal.
According to ED sources, Friday’s operations are part of an ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency is collecting documents and digital evidence to establish links between illegal mining activities and the laundering of black money.