Coal theft: CBI raids three locations in Delhi and Bengal

This is the first time that teams of sleuths searched the residence of an official of the CISF, which looks after security at the ECL

Representational image.: Shutterstock

Kinsuk Basu   |   TT  |  Calcutta   |  17.09.21: The CBI on Thursday raided three locations in Delhi and Bengal as a part of its ongoing probe into alleged coal pilferage.

A team of CBI officials carried out searches at the residence of a former ECL director in New Delhi’s Dwarka. Two separate teams of sleuths visited the residence of the general manager of the public sector unit in Asansol’s Kanyapur and his office in the Satgram area and also the official quarter of a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) inspector posted at the NTPC in Farakka.

This is the first time that CBI officers searched the residence of an official of the CISF, which looks after security at the ECL. Sources said the inspector was earlier posted in Asansol and was allegedly involved in the pilferage of coal from the mines. Senior CBI officers said the searches were aimed at collecting documents relating to the source of income of some of the officials who are believed to be allegedly involved in the theft of coal worth hundreds of crores of rupees.

In July, the central investigating agency had searched the premises of some ECL officials in Bengal, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh in the case involving alleged mastermind Anup Majhi and others.

NIA probe

A team of NIA officials reached BJP MP Arjun Singh’s residence in Jagaddal, along with scientists from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory, to initiate a probe into an alleged bomb blast outside his residence early on September 8. The scientists collected samples from the spot, carried out some measurements while photographers with the team clicked pictures of the spot.

While no one was injured in the incident, Singh had claimed one of the bombs had hit the entrance gate of his house.

Singh said he had told the NIA officials whatever he knew about the incident.

The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has already upgraded Singh’s security status from Y+ to Z category and entrusted the duty to the CISF.