Kolkata, 21 January (H.S.): The trial process in the high-profile multi-crore coal smuggling case in West Bengal commenced on Tuesday at the special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Asansol, located in the West Burdwan district. This case has been under intense scrutiny due to the scale of the alleged illegal activities and their financial impact on government revenues.

On the first day of the trial, the statements of two senior officials from Coal India Limited (CIL) were recorded. Out of the 12 officials of Eastern Coalfield Limited (a subsidiary of CIL) who were accused in the case, the CIL has approved the initiation of trial against nine individuals.

The investigation into this coal smuggling case has been carried out by both the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The latter, functioning as the financial investigation wing of the Union Finance Ministry, has been probing the money laundering angle associated with the scam.

The court will reconvene for further hearings on February 21, with the trial process currently underway for 49 of the 50 accused named in the CBI’s charge sheet. Among the accused is the absconding former Trinamool Congress youth leader, Vinay Mishra, who is believed to have taken refuge in the Vanuatu Islands. His brother, Vikash Mishra, is also one of the primary accused in the case.

The CBI’s charge sheet details that 36 lakh metric tonnes of coal were stolen and smuggled during the period between 2015 and 2020, leading to a loss of approximately ₹1,340 crore in government revenue. The investigation revealed a nexus involving officials of CIL, Eastern Coalfield Limited, and even members of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), tasked with safeguarding state-run coal mines.

Anup Majhi, also known as Lala, is another prime accused in the case and is currently out on bail.

Hindusthan Samachar / S P Singh