The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out coordinated searches across several locations in West Bengal as part of its ongoing investigation into an alleged coal smuggling racket, seizing ₹65 lakh in cash and questioning a serving police officer during the operation.
Officials confirmed that one of the key raids was conducted at the residence of a businessman in Jamuria town of Paschim Bardhaman district, where investigators recovered ₹65 lakh in unaccounted cash. Simultaneously, ED teams searched the house of Manoranjan Mandal, the recently appointed officer-in-charge of Budbud police station, located in Durgapur’s City Centre area.
Mandal was questioned by central agency officials regarding suspected financial links to the alleged smuggling network, sources said, adding that documents and digital devices were also examined during the searches.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
The action forms part of a wider probe into illegal coal mining and transportation in the state, a case that has already led to multiple arrests and attachments of properties in previous phases of the investigation. ED officials said Tuesday’s raids were aimed at tracing the flow of illicit funds and identifying individuals who may have facilitated or benefited from the operation.
According to investigators, the alleged scam involves large-scale pilferage of coal from mines in the Asansol-Raniganj belt, followed by illegal transportation and sale, with proceeds allegedly laundered through shell entities and benami accounts.
Sources familiar with the investigation said the businessman whose Jamuria residence was searched is suspected to have played a role in handling cash generated from the illegal trade. The seized money is believed to be part of the proceeds of crime, though officials said a detailed forensic examination of financial records is underway.
The questioning of a serving police officer has added a fresh dimension to the case, raising concerns about possible institutional collusion. While no formal arrest was made on Tuesday, officials indicated that statements recorded during the raids would be analysed alongside bank transaction trails and mobile data to establish individual roles.
The ED has been probing the coal smuggling racket under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), following inputs from other investigative agencies. Over the past two years, the case has widened to include several businessmen, transport operators and intermediaries allegedly involved in the illegal movement of coal.
Tuesday’s searches come amid heightened political tension in the state over central agency actions. The West Bengal government has repeatedly accused the ED and other federal bodies of selective targeting, an allegation the agency has consistently denied, maintaining that its operations are strictly evidence-driven.
Senior officials said further searches and summons are likely as investigators continue to map the financial architecture of the racket. “The focus is on identifying the ultimate beneficiaries and dismantling the money trail,” an official said.
The ED stated that additional details would be shared once the analysis of seized materials is completed.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
