Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India]April 7 (ANI): A fresh inspection at the illegal coal mining site in Nimbu Pahar area in Jharkhand’s Sahebganj, which was already under the purview of the Enforcement Directorate, revealed several evidences that point to the fact that further Extraction was in progress.
The accused in the case are Pankaj Mishra, the MLA representative of Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren; Bishnu Yadav and others, and the ED is probing a case related to illegal mining activities and money laundering against them.
Mishra was earlier arrested in the same illegal mining case and is currently in judicial custody.
The ED said on Friday that a team of top officials identified and inspected the mining site located at Mouza Sivariya, Circle Mandro on Wednesday.
On reaching the site, the ED said it was learned that the said mine was one of the many mining sites which were visited and inspected during a joint inspection with ED officials in July 2022.
On earlier occasions too, officials who inspected the site had confirmed that it was being run illegally by Pankaj Mishra and Bishnu Yadav.
Within eight months, the central enforcement agency stated that further mining had taken place at the site and was evident during inspection.
“For further verification, drone operators were requested to fly unmanned aerial devices to obtain an aerial view. Some officials even managed to reach the top of the illegal mining site. In a letter to the Sahebganj police, the ED’s Ranchi zonal office said, it was found that several new holes were drilled in the mine to keep it ready for fresh blasts and explosives were inserted.
“Local investigation has revealed that mining was being done during the night in the said mines. Pictures were taken with the help of drone camera. Fresh traces of wheels of heavy vehicles or equipment were also visible that connected the mining sites to the main roads (kutcha roads). Marks indicating recent use of Poklen excavators, earthmovers for digging and dumping were visible at the mining site.
Against that backdrop, the ED wrote to the local police authorities with relevant information and sought necessary action. (ANI)
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