Ranchi/Patna/Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted widespread raids on Tuesday at 20 locations across Jharkhand, Bihar, and West Bengal in connection with a major illegal mining case valued at Rs 1,250 crore.
The raids, targeting cities including Ranchi, Gumla, Sahebganj, Kolkata, and Patna, led to the seizure of over Rs 60 lakh in cash, more than 1 kg of gold, 1.2 kg of silver, gold ornaments, mobile phones, and several incriminating documents.
The CBI’s searches uncovered documents related to property sales, shell companies, and illicit investments, as well as 61 live cartridges, agreements, and sale deeds linked to the illegal mining activities. The agency’s investigation suggests that these operations resulted in significant financial losses to the government, primarily due to unpaid royalties and violations of mining laws.
This case, which was registered by the CBI on November 20, 2023, follows directions from the Jharkhand High Court. The accused face a range of charges, including conspiracy, theft, criminal intimidation, and violations of the Arms Act, the SC/ST Act, and the Jharkhand Mines and Minerals Concession Rules, 2004.
The focal point of the investigation is the large-scale illegal mining operations in Sahebganj district, which have been linked to key individuals and firms using multiple tactics to conceal their activities and launder the proceeds. The CBI’s findings suggest that these activities have been ongoing for an extended period, causing substantial financial harm to the government.
The raids are part of the broader investigation into the Nimbu Pahad illegal mining case. Notably, Vijay Hansda, the village head from Nimbu Pahad, had initially provided testimony in the case but later retracted his statement. Key suspects under investigation include Pankaj Mishra, Vishnu Kumar Yadav, Pavitar Kumar Yadav, and Rajesh Yadav, among others.
The CBI’s probe follows an earlier investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which led to the filing of an FIR against the accused. The original complaint was filed by Hansda at the Muffasil Police Station in Sahebganj and later transferred to the SC/ST police station for further investigation.
CBI DSP Krishna Kumar Singh has been appointed as the Investigating Officer, as the agency continues to gather evidence and expand the scope of the probe into the illegal mining syndicate.