Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on a multi-crore coal smuggling racket in West Bengal, conducting fresh raids amid allegations of widespread illegal mining and money laundering. According to reports, these actions mark a significant intensification of the probe launched late last year, involving key figures and locations across the state.
Reports said ED teams raided over 24 premises in November 2025, spanning Kolkata, Howrah, Purulia, Durgapur, and Asansol’s coal belt, with more than 100 officials involved from early morning. Recent operations extended to 10 sites in West Bengal and Delhi in January 2026, focusing on a syndicate led by Anup Majee, accused of theft from Eastern Coalfields Limited leaseholds. Additional searches hit Jharkhand (18 locations) and traders’ offices, recovering unaccounted cash, gold jewellery, documents, and illegal coal stocks.
Prominent names under scrutiny include Narendra Kharka, Yudhistir Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal, Chinmayi Mondal, Rajkoshore Yadav, Anil Goyal, and LB Singh, linked to illegal transportation and storage, reports said. The agency seized crores in cash, jewellery, and digital records, estimating government losses in hundreds of crores. In one dramatic incident, coal trader LB Singh allegedly unleashed dogs to hinder Jharkhand raids, but teams proceeded.
The probe gained heat with January 8 raids on Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) offices and co-founder Pratik Jain’s residence, where ED alleged Rs 20 crore hawala transfers from coal smuggling proceeds. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee reportedly intervened in a Kolkata raid, allegedly seizing documents, sparking political backlash. ED has summoned 15 coal traders total, including seven more recently, amid claims of nexus with factories in Bankura, Burdhaman, and Purulia.
