New Delhi | November 21, 2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Coal Smuggling Crackdown:
In a major enforcement action, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday carried out searches at 18 locations in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, in connection with an ongoing investigation into an alleged coal smuggling and money laundering racket involving outsourcing operations under Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL). The raids were conducted early in the morning and triggered widespread attention across the city.
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ED Targets Properties of Contractor L. B. Singh
According to official sources, the searches were carried out at locations linked to well-known BCCL contractor L. B. Singh, including his residential property Dev Villa and multiple premises of his company Dev Prabha Company, which is reportedly engaged in outsourcing and coal handling contracts.
The ED teams also searched the premises of two other coal traders suspected to be connected to the irregularities. The agency believes that the network may have been involved in illegal coal trading, irregular tender allocation, and unaccounted financial transactions.
Evidence Collected; No Arrests Confirmed Yet
During the coordinated operation, the ED seized a large volume of documents, digital data storage devices, and financial transaction records, which investigators believe may contain crucial evidence supporting allegations of economic offenses.
Authorities have been monitoring Singh and related business entities for several months, flagging suspicious money transfers and questionable outsourcing activities.
Sources within the investigation stated that the case involves suspected money laundering channels, black market coal sales, and misuse of contractual systems under BCCL operations. Further legal action may depend on the examination of seized material.
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Heavy Security & Public Reaction
Residents reported a heavy deployment of enforcement officials and police personnel around targeted premises, creating a tense environment across multiple neighborhoods in Dhanbad.
The large-scale synchronized raid indicates a wider probe that may potentially expose a broader coal mafia network operating in the region. Officials have not yet disclosed if further raids are expected or if arrests will follow.
The Enforcement Directorate has not issued an official public statement but is expected to release updates as the investigation progresses.
Industry & Political Repercussions
The case is expected to have significant implications for Jharkhand’s coal sector, already under scrutiny for issues related to illegal mining and corrupt contractor networks. The coal smuggling investigation has previously surfaced in political discussions, raising questions over governance and supervision in coal-rich districts.
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