A special team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a ground-level probe into the alleged multi-crore stone mining scandal in Jharkhand, marking a significant development in the long-running case. The team's arrival follows a directive from the Supreme Court of India.
Supreme Court Order Triggers CBI's Maiden Visit
The investigation was set in motion after the Supreme Court, on December 10, 2025, upheld a Jharkhand High Court order for a CBI probe into the scam. This visit on Tuesday evening is the first time the central agency has conducted operations in Sahibganj concerning this case. The team, comprising six members, traveled from Ranchi to begin their detailed examination.
Scrutiny of Documents and On-Site Inspections Begin
Led by a DSP-rank officer, Kuldeep Kumar, the CBI officials commenced their work on Wednesday by visiting the district mining office. There, they collected relevant records from the District Mining Officer (DMO), Krishna Kumar Kisku. With the DMO accompanying them, the team then inspected crusher units owned by Chhotu Yadav and Pavitra Yadav.
Officials assisting the CBI revealed that the agency is focused on assessing the total volume of unauthorised mining and its massive financial implications, estimated to be around Rs 1,500 crore. Documents at the mining office, as well as those from stone quarries and crusher plants based at Nimbu Pahad, are under intense scrutiny.
Focus on Key Locations and Seized Assets
The investigators conducted thorough on-site inspections at the Nimbu Pahad stone quarries, identified as the epicenter of the illegal mining operations. Another critical point of examination was the MV Infralink-III, a cargo vessel seized by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in July 2022.
The vessel, valued at approximately Rs 30 crore, is suspected of being used to transport illegally mined stone chips and boulders from Samda Ghat of the Ganga river in Sakri Gali. The CBI team inspected the seized ship, cross-checked seizure lists with the ED's earlier findings, and questioned personnel present at the location.
"The team then proceeded to Basa and inspected the Sankat Mochan Mines, conducting further investigations and questioning the officials present at the spot," an official stated on condition of anonymity.
Probe to Continue for Several Days
Sources indicate that the CBI sleuths are expected to remain stationed in the district for the next few days. Their plan involves a comprehensive and thorough probe of all sites and documents that were identified during previous ED raids and their own preliminary investigations. This sustained effort underscores the scale and complexity of the alleged scam.
The case, which was initially probed by the ED, has now taken a new turn with the CBI's direct involvement, mandated by the country's highest court. The outcome of this investigation is being closely watched, as it involves significant loss of state revenue and environmental damage due to unauthorized extraction.
