The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out searches at multiple locations across West Bengal in connection with a money-laundering probe linked to the alleged illegal mining and transportation of coal.
The action is part of a separate investigation and is not connected to the alleged coal scam case in which the ED had raided the Kolkata office of political consultancy firm I-PAC last month.
About nine premises, including those belonging to Officer in-charge (OC) Manoranjan Mondal, are being covered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources in the central investigating agency said.
Premises associated with several individuals including Kiran Khan, Ramesh Bansal, Sheikh Akhtar, Prabir Datta and Mirza H Baig, were also searched during the operation, officials said.
It’s learnt the investigating agency’s officials have already recovered herd cash around Rs 70 lakh allegedly from the residence of Bansal.
Another team of the ED carried out search operations at Mondal’s Durgapur residence on charge of his alleged link in the illegal transaction of money of the coal smuggling scam.
Interestingly, Mondal took over the charge of the Budbud police station couple of days ago. About two years ago he was suspended by the Mamata Banerjee government on charge of his alleged link in the scam.
In 2024, based on directives issued by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he was suspended when he from the post of OC of Baraboni police station in the coal belt of Asansol sub-division in the state.
Sources also said that the ED team members are still continuing raids at his residence in his presence till afternoon.
Officials have been interrogating Mondal in phases since Tuesday morning to get more details in connection with the alleged money laundering case.