Enforcement – ED Conducts Wide-Ranging Searches in West Bengal Coal Case Probe

Enforcement- The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday launched a series of coordinated searches across West Bengal as part of an ongoing investigation into suspected money laundering tied to alleged illegal coal mining and transportation activities. Officials familiar with the operation said the action was carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and involved multiple teams working simultaneously in different districts.

The searches marked another step in the agency’s broader effort to trace financial trails believed to be linked to unlawful coal extraction and movement, a matter that has remained under scrutiny for several years due to its potential impact on public revenue and regulatory compliance.

Scope of Searches Across the State

According to officials, nearly 10 locations were covered during the day-long operation. These included residential and commercial premises connected to individuals suspected of playing roles in the handling or movement of funds allegedly generated from illegal coal-related activities. Among the locations searched were properties linked to Manoranjan Mondal, a serving official of the West Bengal Police.

Investigators said the searches were aimed at gathering financial documents, digital records, and other material that could help establish how funds were generated, layered, and potentially integrated into the formal economy. Officers were seen examining bank statements, property papers, and electronic devices at several sites.

Individuals Under the Scanner

Apart from the premises linked to the police official, locations associated with Kiran Khan, Sekh Akhtar, Prabir Datta, and Mirza H Baig were also searched, officials confirmed. These individuals are believed to have been under the agency’s watch following the analysis of transaction patterns and earlier intelligence inputs.

Sources indicated that the current phase of searches was based on specific financial leads that emerged during the course of the investigation. Officials stressed that the action does not imply guilt and that further conclusions would depend on the evidence collected and subsequent legal examination.

Separate From Earlier High-Profile Action

The agency clarified that the latest operation is part of a distinct investigation and is not linked to the alleged coal scam case in which the Enforcement Directorate had conducted a search at the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC last month. Officials said the two probes are being handled independently, based on separate sets of information and financial trails.

This clarification was issued to address speculation about overlaps between ongoing investigations. Sources emphasized that each case follows its own evidentiary path and legal framework, even when they relate broadly to the coal sector.

Legal Framework and Investigative Process

The searches were conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which empowers the Enforcement Directorate to investigate offenses involving the concealment or use of proceeds derived from criminal activity. Under the law, the agency can provisionally attach assets and pursue prosecution if sufficient evidence is established.

Officials explained that such searches are a routine part of financial crime investigations and are carried out after obtaining the necessary legal approvals. Any materials seized during the operation will be examined in detail, and individuals concerned may be summoned for questioning at a later stage.

Broader Context of Coal-Related Investigations

Illegal coal mining and transportation have long been areas of concern for enforcement agencies due to the scale of revenue loss and environmental impact involved. Investigators across agencies have been working to identify networks that allegedly facilitate unauthorized extraction and movement of coal, often using complex financial arrangements.

The Enforcement Directorate’s latest action reflects continued scrutiny of these alleged networks, with a focus on tracking money flows rather than operational aspects of mining itself. Officials noted that further steps in the investigation would be guided strictly by evidence and legal procedure.