The Enforcement Directorate has attached assets worth Rs 100.44 crore in a major investigation into illegal coal mining linked to Eastern Coalfields Limited. The case centers around a syndicate allegedly led by Anup Majee, known as Lala, whose operations extended across mining areas, transport routes and financial channels.
Illegal Coal Excavation and Distribution Network
Investigators found that the syndicate was involved in illegal excavation and large-scale pilferage of coal from leasehold areas of ECL. The coal was supplied to several factories in West Bengal. The distribution network functioned smoothly because local administrative support allowed trucks carrying illegal coal to move with minimal interference. Records seized during the investigation show that the syndicate generated Proceeds of Crime amounting to roughly Rs 2,742 crore, highlighting the vast scale of the operation.
A key part of the operation was the Lala pad, an illegal transport challan printed as a tax invoice in the names of non existent firms. Each transporter received the fake challan along with a small denomination currency note. They photographed the note next to the truck’s number plate and sent the image to the syndicate. The syndicate forwarded the image to police and local authorities along the transport route, signaling that the vehicle should not be stopped or should be released quickly if detained.
Hawala Network Used for Cash Movement
The ED uncovered a sophisticated hawala network used to circulate the syndicate’s earnings. Cash moved outside the banking system through a code based verification method. The code, often the serial number of a currency note, was shared between sender and recipient. When the recipient presented the note with the matching serial number, the hawala operator released the agreed cash amount. This allowed large sums to move between locations without any formal record.
Evidence such as Tally data, digital files, WhatsApp messages and registers revealed systematic cash transactions and multiple layers of fund movement. The structure made it difficult to trace the origin and final use of illegally generated money.
Beneficiary Companies and Attached Assets
The ED found that certain steel and iron sector companies purchased illegal coal in cash, knowingly using and projecting the Proceeds of Crime as clean. These companies include Shakambhari Ispat and Power Limited and Gagan Ferrotech Limited. Attached assets include immovable property, fixed deposits and mutual fund holdings linked to these entities. With this attachment, the total assets seized in the case now stand at Rs 322.71 crore.
Searches and Evidence Linking
On 8 January 2026, the ED searched ten premises in Kolkata and Delhi. Documents and digital evidence collected in these searches helped connect the proceeds of crime to the properties now attached. The evidence continues to be examined to map financial links, identify additional layers of operations and confirm beneficiaries.
Significance and Ongoing Investigation
Illegal coal mining harms the public interest by draining natural resources, eroding revenue and enabling parallel economies. The Enforcement Directorate has emphasized its commitment to cracking down on such offences. The current investigation aims to uncover remaining financial layers, trace additional assets and pinpoint individuals involved in laundering operations tied to the syndicate.
Source: ED Press Release dated 13/02/2026: Eastern Coalfields PMLA Case