ED raids 25 locations in Dhanbad as its investigation into an alleged illegal coal levy network intensifies. Teams from the Ranchi Zonal Office searched residential and commercial premises linked to coal traders, associates and others under scrutiny. The PMLA investigation is examining suspected proceeds from alleged illegal coal mining, transportation and storage. Officials are reviewing banking records, transaction details, property documents and other material to trace the financial trail and determine the roles of individuals and entities involved.

ED Raids 25 Locations in Dhanbad in Illegal Coal Levy Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate has conducted coordinated searches in Dhanbad in an alleged case of money laundering of illegal coal levy. The searches were conducted at the premises of the coal traders, their business associates and others against whom an investigation has been initiated.

The ED’s probe into the illegal coal levy money laundering intensified on Tuesday with the Enforcement Directorate carrying out coordinated searches at around 25 locations across Jharkhand’s Dhanbad district. The action is part of an investigation into an alleged syndicate involved in illegal mining, transportation, storage and suspected money laundering activities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The teams of the Enforcement Directorate’s Ranchi Zonal Office started the search operations at around 6 a.m., the official said. Officials simultaneously searched several residential and commercial premises and examined financial transactions and documents relating to the alleged illegal coal business.

Enforcement Directorate targets multiple locations linked to alleged illegal coal trade

The searches were carried out at various places including Nalanda Cottage in Dhanbad, an apartment in Saraidhela and properties in Katras, Tikiyapada, Mahuda, Loyabad and Jharia. Investigators are sifting through records they believe are linked to suspected proceeds of illegal coal-related activities.

The premises being searched allegedly belong to coal traders LB Singh, Anil Goyal, Ganesh Yadav, Pappu Mandal, Anup Chauhan, and Harendra Chauhan. The operation also involved searches of linked properties of ex-Assembly election candidate Rohit Yadav and several of his associates.

The ED suspects that huge assets could have been amassed from the proceeds generated from the alleged illegal coal trade. Investigators are trying to trace the flow of money and financial links between individuals and entities involved in the case.

Officials are now examining financial records, banking documents, transaction details, land-related papers and other material seized during the searches. The probe seeks to identify the alleged roles of the individuals as well as to follow the full financial trail behind the suspected network. 

Also Read: CGPSC Recruitment Scam: ED Arrests Ex-Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani.

Multiple ECIRs registered as investigation expands

The Enforcement Directorate has filed four separate Enforcement Case Information Reports (ECIRs) in the larger probe. The cases involve alleged illegal coal mining operations, unauthorised transportation and storage activities and the laundering of suspected proceeds generated from such businesses.

Investigators under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act have powers to probe financial assets, search, and collect evidence related to suspected proceeds of crime. The continuing operation is to ascertain if any assets were purchased using monies allegedly obtained from illegal coal activities.

The agency’s latest searches are a fresh major development in its ongoing investigations into alleged financial irregularities in Jharkhand’s coal sector. No arrests have been made so far, and authorities have not released the total value of assets being looked at during Tuesday’s operation.

Previous ED action recovered cash and land documents

This is the latest action following a previous crackdown by the Enforcement Directorate on November 21, 2025, when officials raided around 20 locations in Dhanbad and Dumka linked to LB Singh and his associates.

The agency recovered cash worth Rs 2.20 crore, over 150 land documents and other materials, which the investigators said were relevant to the alleged illegal coal trade, during these searches. The recoveries were part of the evidence being examined in the wider money laundering investigation.

The probe is still underway with the Enforcement Directorate continuing its scrutiny of the financial records, property papers and transaction trails linked to the alleged illegal coal levy network. More official updates are expected as investigators go through the evidence collected during the latest searches. As ever, Sprouts News will continue to monitor developments as they are verified. The allegations are being investigated and are subject to the due process of law.