The Enforcement Directorate announced the attachment of assets totaling Rs 302.89 crore in three separate money laundering cases. The largest attachment of Rs 200.02 crore is linked to the Andaman & Nicobar State Co-operative Bank Limited (ANSCBL) fraud case. This includes properties like hotels, resorts, and land in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In another case, assets worth Rs 100.44 crore were attached concerning alleged illegal coal mining and pilferage in areas leased by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). The ED conducted searches in Kolkata and Delhi, leading to the attachment of properties. The total attachment in this case now stands at Rs 322.71 crore.
The third case involves the provisional attachment of immovable property valued at Rs 2.43 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This action is based on a prosecution complaint against PKS Limited and its directors. The ED had previously seized valuables and frozen bank accounts worth Rs 27.88 crore in this case.
The investigation into coal smuggling in West Bengal remains a prominent case among the three. Recent controversy arose over ED search operations at the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC) office and the residence of its co-founder. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the locations during the operations, and the matter is now before the Supreme Court. ED Director Rahul Navin also visited Kolkata to oversee investigations into financial irregularity cases, including the coal smuggling probe.
