Daijiworld Media Network - Jharkhand

Jharkhand, Nov 21: In a sweeping crackdown on an alleged coal pilferage and money-laundering racket, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted searches at more than 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal. The raids are part of an ongoing probe into a sprawling coal mafia network that is suspected to have caused losses amounting to several hundred crores to the government.

In Jharkhand alone, the agency searched around 18 locations linked to key suspects. In neighbouring West Bengal, ED teams from the Kolkata unit carried out operations at 24 premises spread across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata.

The searches relate to multiple high-profile cases of coal theft and smuggling. Several individuals and entities allegedly connected to the network—including Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, LB Singh and Amar Mandal—are under the scanner. Premises linked to others such as Narendra Kharka, Yudhistir Ghosh and Krishna Murari Kayal are also being inspected.

Friday’s action marks one of the most extensive phases of the investigation so far, as the agency attempts to trace financial trails, uncover illegal proceeds and dismantle what officials describe as an entrenched nexus of pilferage and laundering.