Ranchi, Aug 13 (IANS) Speeding up its investigation into the Jharkhand coal scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summonses to five individuals associated with prominent coal businessman L.B. Singh and Anil Goyal.
According to ED, summonses have been served on Aarti Singh, wife of L.B. Singh, his brother Vishwavijay Singh, and brother-in-law Ranjit Kumar Singh.
Aarti Singh has been asked to appear before the agency’s regional office on August 20, while Vishwavijay Singh and Ranjit Kumar Singh have been directed to appear on August 14 and August 17, respectively. Two other associates linked to Anil Goyal, namely Shabbir Alam and Mahendra Singh, have also been summoned for questioning next week.
The latest action follows extensive searches conducted by the ED on July 28 across Dhanbad and adjoining areas. During the operation, the agency raided 31 locations linked to L.B. Singh, Anil Goyal, and their associates.
The searches resulted in the freezing of mutual fund investments worth nearly Rs 160 crore allegedly linked to LB Singh. Investigators also seized around Rs 1.02 crore in unaccounted cash, digital devices, and documents related to financial transactions.
In addition, the ED recovered sale deeds and other records pertaining to more than 200 movable and immovable properties.
The agency said the seized documents and digital evidence are currently under examination.
Investigators suspect that proceeds generated from illegal coal-related activities were used to acquire assets and make investments. The ED is also probing allegations that illicit earnings were routed through various transactions and entities in an attempt to legitimise the proceeds of crime.
The money laundering investigation stems from several FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Jharkhand Police. The cases relate to allegations of illegal coal mining, theft and transportation of coal, as well as extortion and unlawful levy collection in the name of coal loading operations in Dhanbad and neighbouring regions.
The ED had earlier carried out searches in November 2025 in connection with the same case. The latest summons issued to members of the family and business network of the accused are being viewed as the next phase of the agency’s widening probe into the alleged coal scam.
–IANS
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