Ajay Hari, a notorious figure in the sand mafia, has been apprehended in West Burdwan district, West Bengal, as confirmed by the police on Sunday. Hari was taken into custody by officers from the Malandighi outpost in the Bidbihar area on Saturday night. Allegations suggest that Hari used proceeds from a sand smuggling operation to acquire properties, houses, and cars worth millions of rupees. He is scheduled to appear in the Durgapur Sub-District Court for further legal proceedings today.
The police intend to secure Hari’s custody for interrogation as part of their ongoing investigation into the sand smuggling network. Authorities aim to uncover additional individuals involved in the illicit operation and understand the functioning of the entire racket. Reports indicate that Ajay Hari has had close ties with leaders from the Trinamool Congress party. Previous allegations of sand extraction from the Ajay River in West Bengal have been linked to him, with claims that no action was taken against him during the previous government’s tenure.
Local sources suggest that the sand mafia in Durgapur, West Burdwan district, gained prominence during the CPI(M) era and expanded its influence in subsequent years. Ajay Hari was known for unlawfully extracting sand from the river and engaging in smuggling activities. His association with Trinamool leaders strengthened after the change in government in 2011, leading to a significant increase in his wealth and assets valued in crores. Hari’s possessions include houses, luxury cars, machinery for sand extraction, and involvement in the brick kiln business.
Following the recent change in state governance, efforts have been made to curb illegal sand smuggling activities. The new administration has emphasized a zero-tolerance policy towards unethical practices that prevailed during the Trinamool Congress era. Law enforcement has been instructed to take stringent actions against criminals and organized crime syndicates. Despite being on the run since the BJP government assumed power in West Bengal, Ajay Hari was eventually apprehended by the police, marking an end to his evasion.
