ED raids multiple locations in West Bengal in multi-crore coal scam probe

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted search operations at multiple locations across West Bengal, including Durgapur, Kaksha and Paschim Bardhaman, in connection with a multi-crore coal scam. The residence of Budbud police station officer-in-charge Manoranjan Mondal was also raided from early morning.

“One Bengal Police officer-in-charge named Manoranjan Mondal is being covered in the searches today. Other persons include Kiran Khan, Sekh Akhtar, Prabir Datta and Mirza Hesamuddin Baig,” ED sources said.

Around ten premises, including Mondal’s residence, are being searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the sources said. The searches have been underway since early Tuesday morning and include premises linked to a West Bengal Police officer and others connected to the case.


The ED is probing allegations of illegal extraction and smuggling of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL).

The alleged coal smuggling racket in West Bengal has been under the federal agency’s scanner for several years. The case first came to light after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR alleging large-scale pilferage of coal from ECL mines in Asansol and adjoining areas.

All searches are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).