CBI raids 45 locations in 4 states for coal smuggling from Eastern Coalfield Limited

In a massive search operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday carried out searches at 45 locations across West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar in connection with illegal mining and theft of coal from Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL) that operates in West Bengal and Jharkhand.

Mass scale theft of coal was allegedly taking place at the ECL lines with the help of company officials and security in-charge.

According to sources, the federal investigation agency sleuths raided the office and homes of Anup Majhi, alias Lala, in Asansol, Durgapur, and Raniganj in Burdwan district, as well as Bishnupur in Kolkata's adjoining South 24-Parganas district.

They also carried out search operations in some of the houses of Majhi's associates.

Majhi is the alleged kingpin of the illegal coal operation that was being run in the open cast colliery belts along the Bengal-Jharkhand border.

The CBI sleuths have reportedly found connections between Majhi and Enamul Haq, the earlier arrested alleged kingpin in a cattle smuggling racket operating in West Bengal.

Enamul Haq, a resident of Murshidabad district, is currently on interim bail after he was tested positive for Covid-19.

A Border Security Force (BSF) officer linked to cattle-smuggling activities was also arrested in connection with the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday, November 27 filed an FIR against Anup Manjhi including some employees of the ECL, Railways and CISF personnel after which a riad was carried out across four states today.

(With IANS inputs)