India News : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has carried out a major action in connection with large-scale illegal coal mining and theft in Jharkhand and West Bengal. As part of its probe, the ED has provisionally attached illegal assets worth ₹100.44 crore linked to coal theft in Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) leasehold areas.
Coal theft linked to Anoop Manjhi alias Lala
According to the investigation, the illegal mining operations were run by the gang of Anoop Manjhi, also known as Lala. The ED found that coal extracted illegally from ECL areas was transported to various factories in West Bengal with the alleged collusion of local officials.
‘Lala Pad’ used for illegal transportation
The probe revealed that Anoop Manjhi had introduced a fake transportation challan system, popularly known as the “Lala Pad.” These challans functioned like tax invoices but were issued in the names of non-existent firms, allowing illegal coal consignments to move without raising suspicion.
₹10–20 note trick for safe passage
Investigators discovered a unique method used by the syndicate to ensure smooth transportation. Transporters were given a ₹10 or ₹20 currency note, which they placed near the vehicle’s number plate and clicked a photograph. The image was sent to the syndicate operator, who then shared it via WhatsApp with police and other officials posted along the route, ensuring that the truck, dumper, or tipper was not stopped—or released immediately if intercepted.
₹2,742 crore money laundering uncovered
Records maintained by the gang indicate that it generated proceeds of crime amounting to approximately ₹2,742 crore. During the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) investigation, the ED analysed seized registers, digital records, Tally data, and WhatsApp chats, which exposed systematic cash transactions and the use of hawala channels to transfer and launder the illegal proceeds.
The ED has indicated that further attachments and arrests may follow as the investigation continues into the wider coal theft network operating across Jharkhand and West Bengal.
