ED carries out raids in Jharkhand in alleged illegal mining case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday carried out raids at multiple locations in Jharkhand in connection with its ongoing money laundering probe into alleged illegal mining in the state.

Two AK-47 assault rifles and 60 bullets were found, sources said. ED raided nearly 20 premises in Jharkhand, neighbouring Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Delhi-NCR.

According to people in the know, the searches were carried out after fresh information came to light following the questioning of Pankaj Mishra, an alleged political aide of Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren, and Mishra's associate and muscleman Bachhu Yadav.


Mishra and Yadav have been earlier arrested by ED in the case.

The agency commenced its money laundering probe after it had raided Mishra and his alleged associates on July 8, covering 19 locations in Sahibganj, Barhet, Rajmahal, Mirza Chauki and Barharwa in Jharkhand in the case linked to alleged instances of illegal mining and extortion.

The searches were launched after the ED registered a case against Mishra and others in March, alleging that the former "illegally grabbed or amassed huge assets in his favour".