On January 3, 2024, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) searched 12 locations throughout the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Bihar in accordance with the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The homes of Ram Niwas Yadav, the DC of Sahibganj District, Rajendra Dubey, the DSP of Sahibganj, and Abhishek Prasad “Pintu,” the Press Advisor to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jharkhand State, are situated on the premises. This case involves illicit stone mining that is known to have occurred in Sahibganj, Jharkhand, and involves more than Rs 1000 crore in criminal gains.
Based on a formal complaint filed at the SC/ST P.S. in Sahibganj, the ED opened an inquiry under the Arms Act, the JMMC Rules, 2004 and other sections of the IPC against Bishnu Yadav, Pavitra Yadav, Pankaj Mishra, and other individuals concerning illicit stone mining. Later, the CBI took up the matter in question at the Hon’ble Jharkhand High Court’s request.
An ED investigation found that the Sahibganj region was the scene of widespread illicit mining activity. Twenty joint inspections of illegal mining operations were conducted in various areas of Sahibganj District by ED officers, and administrative, forest, mining, and pollution control officers of the State Government of Jharkhand in order to determine the degree of unlawful mining.
The joint examination has verified the existence of extensive illicit mining and deforestation that causes further environmental risks. A total of about 23.26 crore cubic feet of illicit mining, with a rough market value of Rs. 1250 crore, were found and assessed during the joint inspection. The ED’s research further showed that Pankaj Mishra, who was detained on July 19, 2022, and is still in judicial detention, was the mastermind behind the illicit mining operations.
Various incriminating digital devices, papers, and records, together with cash totalling Rs. 36.99 lakhs, including Rs. 7.25 lakh from the camp office of Sahibganj DC Ram Niwas Yadav, were discovered during the search operations. Furthermore, from the domestic premises of Ram Niwas Yadav, DC Sahibganj, five empty 45 pistol casings, two 380 mm cartridges, and nine 9 mm cartridges were also found.
Thirty benami bank accounts were also discovered during the investigations and have now been frozen. The ED conducted 51 searches and made 8 arrests in cases it was investigating about widespread illicit stone mining in the state of Jharkhand. The searches that were carried out on January 3, 2024, are a continuation of those prior searches. Additional research is currently being conducted.
