Kolkata, 13 May (H.S.) : The Enforcement Directorate has moved the Supreme Court of India challenging the anticipatory bail granted to alleged coal smuggling kingpin Anup Majhi in the multi-crore coal smuggling case.

A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta on Tuesday issued notice to Anup Majhi seeking his response on the ED’s plea challenging the Delhi High Court order granting him anticipatory bail.

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju described Majhi as the “main conspirator” in the illegal coal smuggling racket. He argued before the court that massive quantities of coal were illegally extracted and smuggled from mines operated by Eastern Coalfields Limited, resulting in large-scale loss of national resources.

According to the ED, the investigation has so far revealed alleged coal smuggling worth nearly Rs 2,742 crore. The agency further claimed that Majhi did not cooperate during the initial phase of the investigation and remained beyond the reach of investigators for a prolonged period.

Countering the allegations, senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Anup Majhi, told the court that his client had fully cooperated with the investigation and had already appeared before the ED 23 times. He argued that there was no further requirement for custodial interrogation.

The defence also informed the court that Majhi had already secured legal protection in the main case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

During the hearing, the Supreme Court orally observed that directions for expeditious disposal of the matter could be considered if necessary. The bench also raised questions over the prolonged pendency of the investigation and sought clarity from the ED regarding delays in the probe. The court later issued notice to Majhi and sought his response.

The case dates back to 2020, when the CBI registered an FIR against Anup Majhi and several others over allegations of illegal coal extraction and smuggling from ECL mining areas. Based on the CBI case, the ED subsequently initiated a money laundering investigation.

The ED has alleged that several shell companies were created to conceal financial transactions linked to the illegal coal trade and that fake directors were used in the process. Investigators also claim to have recovered crucial documents related to financial transactions from Majhi’s accountant.

Significantly, leads emerging from the ED’s probe against Anup Majhi had also prompted searches earlier this year at the Kolkata office of Indian Political Action Committee, triggering political and legal controversy.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh