The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a major operation across West Bengal, conducting simultaneous searches at multiple locations as part of its ongoing investigation into illegal coal and sand mining activities. The raids targeted residences and business premises of several individuals, including a police officer and multiple traders, with operations continuing for extended periods at some sites.
Businessman's Residence Targeted in Early Morning Raid
Early Tuesday morning, an ED team arrived at the residence of a prominent businessman located at Punjabi Mor, near Jamuria Bazaar in West Burdwan district. The operation intensified by afternoon when State Bank of India officials joined the search team at the same location. According to sources familiar with the development, currency-counting machines were brought to the premises and numerous documents were seized during the thorough examination. ED officials have maintained silence regarding specific findings from this search.
Expanded Search Operations Across Family and Business Locations
The investigation expanded to include searches at the homes of the businessman's two sons, ensuring comprehensive coverage of family connections. Simultaneously, ED officials conducted detailed examinations at a hardware store and warehouse located at Punjabi Mor, along with another commercial establishment in the Hat Tala area. These business premises are believed to be connected to the ongoing mining investigation.
Police Officer's Residence Subjected to Prolonged Search
In a significant development, ED sleuths next targeted the Durgapur residence of Manoranjan Mandal, the newly appointed Officer-in-Charge of Budbud police station. Mandal's professional history includes suspension during his tenure as OC of Barabani Police Station between 2022 and 2024, followed by a transfer to his current position. The search operation at Mandal's home proved particularly extensive, continuing for nearly ten hours as officials meticulously examined the premises.
Multiple Traders Questioned in Marathon Operations
The ED conducted marathon searches at numerous additional locations throughout the day, demonstrating the wide scope of their investigation. These included residences of several sand traders: Prabeer Dutta in Durgapur, Sheikh Hasan and Mirza Beg in Panagarh, and Sheikh Kiran Mandal at Andal. Additionally, officials searched the premises of a coal trader in Pandaveshwar. All these individuals faced hours of questioning by ED officials during the search operations.
The coordinated nature of these searches across multiple districts suggests a systematic approach to gathering evidence in what appears to be a substantial investigation into illegal mining operations. The involvement of both business figures and a police officer indicates the probe may be examining potential connections between commercial activities and law enforcement oversight in the mining sector.
