The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the coal smuggling case, summoning several businessmen for further questioning. These individuals, who have already been interrogated, are required to appear before investigators again this week. The ED’s recent proactive approach in the Kolkata-originating coal smuggling case has led to repeated summonses of businessmen to the CGO Complex office in the Salt Lake area.
The ED’s investigation into the coal smuggling case has uncovered potential connections of the suspected businessmen to influential figures. The agency is meticulously examining all allegations as part of the ongoing probe. In November last year, the ED conducted raids in West Bengal and Jharkhand, seizing crores of rupees, gold jewelry, and a significant amount of illegally mined coal across multiple locations.
The raids were part of the ED’s broader investigation into coal smuggling, including cases related to the illegal extraction of coal from Eastern Coalfields Limited mines and subsequent smuggling to various districts. Several arrests, including former ECL officials, were made in connection with these cases. While a previous case led to raids on the I-PAC’s office and its director’s residence, a new coal smuggling case in the Kolkata vicinity has prompted heightened investigative activity.
