ED raids multiple locations in Bengal, Delhi in sand, coal smuggling probe
Kolkata (PTI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids across multiple locations in West Bengal and Delhi on Tuesday in connection with alleged sand and coal smuggling cases, official sources said.
ED teams, accompanied by central armed forces, carried out searches at premises in Delhi, Kolkata, Asansol, Durgapur and other parts of Paschim Bardhaman district from around 6.30 am, they said.
Among the locations searched was the residence of newly appointed Budbud police station officer-in-charge (OC) Manoranjan Mandal in Asansol.
"The searches are linked to an ongoing investigation into illegal sand and coal trade," a senior official said.
Mandal, who is yet to formally assume charge at Budbud police station, was suspended last year while posted at Barabani police station following corruption charges and was subsequently attached to the Asansol Police Special Branch.
His recent reinstatement as OC has now come under scrutiny following the ED action.
The agency also searched the homes and offices of several sand and coal traders in the region. In Durgapur's Sepco area, ED conducted raids at the residence of sand trader Prabir Dutta, owner of KK Minerals, and simultaneously at the house of his brother Amit Dutta.
The firm operates sand mines in Bankura, Paschim and Purba Bardhaman districts, with offices in Panagarh, officials said.
Searches were also carried out at the residences of sand trader Sheikh Hasim Mirza Beg in Panagarh, Sheikh Kiran Mandal in Andul's Bhaktarnagar area, and coal trader Sheikh Maizul in Pandabeswar, among others.
Raids were underway at several locations in Kolkata and Delhi as well, sources added.
This investigation is different from another alleged coal scam case being probed by the federal probe agency, in which it had raided the premises of political consultancy firm I-PAC in Kolkata last month.
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Vijayanagara: One dead, 12 injured as trucks hits their vehicle from behind on NH 50
Vijayanagara: One man was killed and 12 others were injured after a truck hit vehicle they were traveling in on the National Highway 50 stretch on the outskirts of Koodligi in the district.
The accident victim, Madhu (27), is learned to have been an employee of Reliance Digital from Andhra Pradesh.
The vehicle was reportedly traveling from Bengaluru to Koodligi and the passengers are learned to have been seriously injured following the collision with the truck, which was found to have a Maharashtra registration.
Koodligi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Mallesh Dodmani and Circle Inspector Prahlad Channagiri arrived at the accident spot on being informed of the accident.
The police officers and locals rescued the injured passengers and got them shifted to the Koodligi Government Hospital. Some of the passengers were reportedly taken to the Ballari Trauma Care Centre for further treatment.
A case has been registered at the Koodligi Police Station and the officers are investigating the incident.
