ED conducts raids in several areas of West Bengal over sand smuggling racket
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Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday launched a series of coordinated raids at over 20 locations spread across West Bengal, including Kolkata, targeting individuals and businesses found to be allegedly involved in a sand smuggling racket, a senior official said.
Raids were being carried out in several areas, including Behala, Regent Park, Bidhannagar, and Kalyani, in connection with the scam, he said.
The ED officials conducting the raids were accompanied by a large number of personnel of the central security forces.
At the centre of the operation was Sheikh Jahirul, a prominent figure in the racket in Jhargram district of West Bengal. ED sleuths were conducting searches at his sprawling residence located near Subarnarekha River in Gopiballavpur, he added.
"Searches were underway at Jahirul's residence, office and vehicles. He is accused of being heavily involved in the illegal sand extraction and trade business," the official said, adding that a huge amount of cash was seized from his premises.
Incidentally, Jahirul, who owns several sand mines, used to be a bicycle mechanic before working as a village police officer and ultimately transitioning into the sand trade, he added.
The ED officials are simultaneously raiding properties and offices of other sand mine owners in Beliaberia and Jamboni blocks in Jhargram district.
"The operation is focused on uncovering the financial networks tied to the illicit sand trade. We suspect that a significant amount of money from the racket has been funnelled into various insurance companies and business ventures," he said.
ED sleuths are combing through business records, financial documents, and properties linked to key figures in the operation, he added.
In Kolkata, officials from the central agency were conducting searches at two offices of a mining company -- one located in Behala and another in Salt Lake Sector 5.
"Our officials have seized several bank accounts and other documents during the raid. They are also cross-checking the company's accounts and speaking with the employees present," he said, adding that they were also searching the residences of the owners of the company.
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4 held for sexually assaulting woman, girl on moving bus after social media alert in UP's Agra
Agra (UP) (PTI): Four people were arrested, after a prompt response by police following a social media alert, for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman and a girl inside a moving bus here, officials said on Tuesday.
According to an official police statement, at 12:27 am on April 27, information was received on the social media platform X about an incident of sexual assault on a bus travelling from Kanpur to Ahmedabad, which was approaching Namner crossing in Agra.
Acting under the direction of Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar, the Agra Police social media team immediately alerted the Rakabganj police station within minutes and coordinated with the victims to confirm the incident and obtain the exact location, it stated.
Police teams launched intensive checking at Namner crossing and intercepted the bus as it reached the spot. The four accused involved in the incident were apprehended on the spot, and legal action was initiated against them, the statement said.
The police said the swift response and coordination between the social media team and field units ensured timely action, bringing relief to the victims and other passengers, who expressed gratitude towards the police, it added.
