Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, July 8: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday informed a special court in Asansol, West Bengal, that Vinay Mishra, the prime accused in the multi-crore coal smuggling case, is currently hiding in the Vanuatu Islands under a different identity.

The CBI told the court that although Mishra’s presence in the remote South Pacific island nation had been suspected for some time, it was only recently confirmed that he had adopted a new name after acquiring Vanuatuan citizenship and surrendering his Indian passport in 2020.

This change of citizenship has created legal roadblocks in efforts to bring him back to India, the agency said. Mishra has already been declared an absconding accused, and the CBI admitted that his continued evasion is hindering further progress in the high-profile coal smuggling probe.

According to the agency, Mishra fled India in 2020 shortly after the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) launched parallel investigations into the alleged illegal coal trade. He is believed to have played a central role in routing proceeds from the scam into overseas bank accounts and shell companies.

A reward of Rs 1 lakh had previously been announced for information leading to his arrest. Despite being contacted through his lawyer, Mishra had refused to return to India unless he was assured of not being arrested, a demand the agencies declined to meet.

The fugitive was once known to be well-connected with top Trinamool Congress leaders, raising political heat around the case. His brother Bikas Mishra, also named in the case, remains in custody and has recently made sensational claims. According to Bikas, he is facing threats to his life in jail because, “If I open my mouth, the current Trinamool government will fall.”

The court is expected to review the extradition challenge and ongoing developments in the coming hearings as the CBI continues to pursue the high-stakes investigation.