ED provisionally attaches ₹136.44-crore assets in illegal coal mining case

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The ED alleged that several shell companies were used to route the proceeds. Photo Credit: X/@dir_ed

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets worth ₹136.44 crore in connection with illegal coal mining and pilferage in the leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL).

“The illegal activities were allegedly carried out by a syndicate led by Anup Majee alias Lala. The ED investigation has revealed that the syndicate was involved in the illegal excavation and large-scale pilferage of coal, which was subsequently sold for cash to various factories in West Bengal, allegedly with the active assistance of local administration officials,” said the agency on Friday.

The agency alleged that several shell companies were used to route the proceeds. They were acquired, beneficially owned and controlled allegedly by Mr. Anup Majee, but held in the names of his relatives, employees, and alleged key associate Gurupada Majee.

“The assets attached under the present provisional order include two hotel-cum-resorts, named Garh Panchakot Eco Tourism in Purulia and Biharinath Eco Tourism in Bankura; two properties in Kolkata; balances maintained in bank accounts of shell companies; and shares and mutual fund investments held by members of the Majee family,” said the agency. The ED has so far attached properties worth ₹815.08 crore in the case.

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