Kolkata, 09 February (H.S.):

In a fresh development in the coal smuggling case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Budbud Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Manoranjan Mandal for questioning. Earlier this month, the central agency had conducted a search operation at Mandal’s residence, during which several important documents were seized. Based on the materials recovered, the ED has now issued a formal summons asking him to appear for interrogation on Monday.

According to sources, the ED has also summoned Chinmay Mandal, a close associate of the notorious coal smuggler Lala, in connection with the same case. Investigating agencies claim that Chinmay Mandal is a key link in the coal smuggling network and is allegedly one of its masterminds.

The renewed action by central investigating agencies has once again intensified ahead of the Assembly elections. In the same long-pending coal smuggling case, the ED had earlier carried out raids at the residence and office of Prateek Jain, head of election strategy firm I-PAC, triggering a major political controversy. The matter subsequently reached the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court.

Following these developments, ED Director Rahul Navin visited Kolkata and held a high-level meeting with senior officials to review the progress of several major cases, including coal and sand smuggling. After the meeting, the pace of investigation in the coal smuggling case was reportedly stepped up.

In recent days, the ED has questioned several businessmen linked to the alleged illegal trade. As part of the probe, raids were conducted on February 3 in Raniganj, Jamuria in Asansol, and other parts of the state. During prolonged searches at multiple locations, around ₹1.5 crore in cash was recovered from the warehouse of a businessman in Jamuria. On the same day, the ED had also carried out a search at the residence of Budbud Police Station OC Manoranjan Mandal.

Continuing the probe on the basis of these findings, the Enforcement Directorate has now formally summoned Manoranjan Mandal for questioning in connection with the coal smuggling case.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh