ED takes major action in coal scam case, attaches assets worth Rs 100.44 crore

In the illegal coal mining case, the Enforcement Directorate i.e. ED has taken major action and temporarily attached assets worth Rs 100.44 crore. This action has been taken under the money laundering law. The case pertains to large-scale illegal mining and coal theft in the lease area of ​​Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). Investigation has revealed that this entire racket was being run by a syndicate under the leadership of Anoop Manjhi alias Lala. It is alleged that the syndicate extracted coal through illegal digging on a large scale and then transported it to many factories in West Bengal. The investigation has also revealed that active help of the local administration was being taken in this work.

The entire game was run through Lala Pad.

A shocking revelation has come to light in the ED investigation. The syndicate had started a fake transport challan, which was called “Lala Pad”. This challan was issued like a tax invoice in the name of non-existent companies. Truck drivers were also given a note of Rs 10 or Rs 20 along with the fake challan. The driver would hold that note along with the number plate of the truck or dumper, take its photo and send it to the syndicate operator. After this, the same photo was sent through WhatsApp to the police and other officials on the way, so that the vehicle is not stopped or if stopped, it is immediately released.

Expected earning of Rs 2,742 crore

According to ED, illegal earnings of about Rs 2,742 crore have been found in the records of the syndicate. Seized registers, digital data, tally records and WhatsApp chats revealed that money was diverted on a large scale through cash transactions and hawala.

Unique method of hawala

The investigation has also revealed an underground hawala network. A special code was used for transactions, which was usually the serial number of a Rs 10 note. The person taking the money would first send the serial number of the note. Then the same number was given to the person present in another city through the Hawala operator. When the cash was delivered, the receiver would prove his identity by showing the same uniquely numbered note and take the cash without any bank record. In this way crores of rupees were moved around without any official record.

Steel companies also under investigation

ED’s investigation has also revealed that some companies in the steel and iron sector purchased illegal coal in cash. This helped him in making illegal earnings visible. The attached assets include real estate, fixed deposits and mutual fund investments. These properties are in the name of Shakambhari Ispat and Power Limited and Gagan Ferrotech Limited. A total of assets worth Rs 322.71 crore have been attached in this case so far.

There were raids earlier also

Earlier on January 8, 2026, ED had raided 10 locations in Kolkata and Delhi. Based on the evidence found in these raids, these properties have now been attached. ED says that this entire case is a multi-layered and complex economic crime. The agency is now trying to reach out to the ultimate beneficiaries and other people involved in this network. ED has made it clear that crimes like illegal mining and money laundering harm the natural resources of the country and are against the public interest. Strict action will continue in such cases.

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