Intensifying its probe into the high-profile coal smuggling racket in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized assets worth over ₹100 crore linked to the primary accused, Anup Majhi, alias ‘Lala’.
This significant move comes as the state gears up for upcoming elections, with federal agencies increasing their scrutiny of financial crimes.
Fabricated Invoices and Benami Transactions
According to sources within the investigation, the syndicate utilized a sophisticated money-laundering mechanism involving fabricated documents. The perpetrators allegedly used photographs of mundane ₹10 or ₹20 invoices to justify massive financial transfers.
These illicit funds were subsequently diverted into land purchases and mutual funds held under the names of two dummy companies. Despite the trivial nature of the invoices, investigators discovered that the syndicate managed to amass a fortune exceeding ₹100 crore through this method.
Massive Scale of Corruption
Friday’s seizure amounting to exactly ₹100.44 crore is part of the original investigation launched into the scam. This action brings the total value of assets seized in this case to over ₹322 crore.
However, officials believe this is merely the “tip of the iceberg.” Based on evidence uncovered during raids in Delhi and Kolkata on January 4th, investigators estimate the total volume of corruption orchestrated by the Lala syndicate could exceed ₹2,700 crore.
Police Official Summoned
In a parallel development related to a newer case stemming from the same scam, the ED summoned Manoranjan Mondal, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Budbud police station.
While Mondal failed to appear in person for the second time, he was represented by his legal counsel, Subhrangshu Pal and Devtanu Das. The ED questioned the lawyers regarding the bank accounts of Mondal and his parents.
The investigation into the coal theft from railway sidings began in 2020, initially spearheaded by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Income Tax Department, before the ED launched its money-laundering probe.