Dog standoff marks start of ED’s wide crackdown on coal syndicates

A dramatic scene played out in Dhanbad on Friday morning when coal contractor L B Singh allegedly released his pet dogs to block Enforcement Directorate officers from entering his residence. Security personnel stepped in and brought the situation under control, clearing the way for one of the agency’s most extensive coordinated raids on suspected coal syndicates in recent years.

More than 40 premises across Jharkhand and West Bengal were searched. In Dhanbad, the focus was on more than 18 locations linked to Singh and his Dev Prabha outsourcing company, which works under Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL). Raids were also conducted at the premises of coal traders Anil Goyal and Sanjay Khemka. ED teams from Ranchi, supported by CRPF and Jharkhand Police, moved through Saraidhela, Kusum Vihar, Deovilla, and parts of Jharia and Nirsa.

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Investigators seized documents, electronic devices, and financial papers believed to be connected to irregular contracts and suspicious money flows. Officials said the action followed months of surveillance triggered by complaints at the ministry level. The investigation is centred on illegal coal extraction and the financial network that supported it through outsourcing arrangements, political links, and the possible involvement of officials in public sector units.

Across West Bengal, the agency searched 24 locations in Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata. Individuals under scrutiny include Narendra Kharka, Yudhishthir Ghosh, and Krishna Murari Kayal. Cash and jewellery were recovered from some sites.

In Dhanbad, Dev Prabha and related firms have faced scrutiny before. Allegations include discrepancies in coal quantities and suspected collusion with BCCL officials. While no official’s residence was searched on Friday, sources said some may face questioning after the seized material is examined.

Investigators believe the network caused significant revenue loss through large-scale coal theft, transport of coal through unofficial routes, and manipulation of outsourcing tenders. Local businessman Amar Mandal, linked to illegal extraction of coal, stone, and sand, is also part of the wider probe.

The raids unsettled the coal belt, with heavy police deployment around several neighbourhoods where searches continued. Officials said the seized documents and digital material will guide the next stage of the inquiry. Arrests are possible once the financial trail becomes clearer. Follow-up searches and questioning are expected in the coming days as the agency maps the full extent of the network.