The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the high-profile coal smuggling case in West Bengal by arresting two key associates of the prime accused, Anup Majhi alias Lala. Following a lengthy interrogation on Monday, Chinmay Mondal and Kiran Khan were taken into custody in connection with a fresh case registered by the agency.

The Syndicate Connection: According to ED sources, both Chinmay and Kiran were integral parts of Lala’s syndicate. Investigations reveal that they utilized Lala’s network to build their own vast “coal empire” and managed illegal operations across various railway sidings. They were summoned to the ED office on Monday for questioning, where their inconsistent statements eventually led to their arrest.

Court Proceedings and Expanding Probe: The duo will be produced before a special ED court on Tuesday. The central agency is expected to seek their custody to further unearth the financial trail and identify other beneficiaries of the smuggling racket.

The investigation is not limited to smugglers alone. The ED is also looking into the “administrative link” of the scam. On Monday, the agency summoned Manoranjan Mondal, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Budbud Police Station, for questioning. His residence was recently searched as part of the agency’s effort to identify officials who allegedly facilitated the illegal trade.

Background: The coal smuggling case, which surfaced in 2020 through a CBI probe, initially centered around the theft of coal from railway sidings. With the arrest of Chinmay and Kiran, the ED aims to tighten the noose around the larger network involved in this multi-crore scam.