Jharkhand illegal mining Case: ED Seized 1 Inland Vessel Valued at around Rs 30 Crore. In connection with the ongoing investigation in the illegal mining, extortion etc in Jharkhand, Enforcement Directorate (ED) has further seized one inland vessel namely M.V.Infralink- III bearing registration No. WB 1809 during a search conducted on 26.07.2022. The said inland vessel was being operated illegally without having any permit from SukargarhGhat, Sahebganj. The Vessel was being operated at the behest of Rajesh Yadav @ Dahu Yadav in collusion with Pankaj Mishra and others for transporting illegally mined stone chips/stone boulders.The estimated cost of the vessel is around Rs. 30 Crore. In this regard, an FIR bearing No. 84/2022dated 26.07.2022 has been lodged byMuffasil P.S. against the owner of the vessel MV INFRALINK-III under Section 25/30 of Bengal Ferries Act, 1885 and Section 188/282/420 of I.P.C.
This was preceded by freezing of two illegally operated stone crushers of MaaAmba Stone Works operated by Bishnu Yadav and Pavitra Yadav along with freezing of three HYVA trucks found at MauzaMajhikola, Sahebganj carrying illegally quarried stone chips/boulders without having any mining challans during a search conducted on 25.07.2022 by ED.
In the similar manner, an FIRbearing No. 181/22 dated 26.07.2022in this regard has also been lodged under Section 379 & 414 of I.P.C. at Girwabadi, Sahebganj.
Besides, one illegal mine situated at MauzaSimaria, Sahebganj operated by Bishnu Yadav and others has been identified. Another mine has been identified at MauzaDemba, Sahebganj where mining has exceeded far beyond the leased area. The quantification of the excess illegal mining done at the above sitehas been estimated around 37.5 million cubic feet which has remained undeclared and concealed.The processed value of the mined stone chips/bouldersis estimated to be aroundRs. 45 Crore.
An ED team has been visiting Sahebganj District of Jharkhand since 25.07.2022 and undertaking a joint survey in conjunction with Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board, District Mining Office, Sahibganj, District forest office, Sahebganj and other officials of Sahebganj to identify the beneficiaries of such illegal mining activities and to investigate the proceeds acquired through illegal mining activities.
Earlier, Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had arrested Pankaj Mishra S/o Late Laxmikant Mishra, resident of Sakrugarh, Sahebganj on 19.07.2022. The Hon’ble Special Court, PMLA at Ranchi has remanded him to ED’s custody till 01.08.2022.
Previously, this Directorate had seized/frozen cash amounting to Rs. 13.32 Crore lying in 50 bank accounts, Rs 5.34 Crore unaccounted cash, illegally operated stone crushers and seizure of various incriminating documentsbelonging to Pankaj Mishra, Dahoo Yadav and their associates under the Prevention of Money laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 in ECIR/RNZO/03/2022 during searches conducted at 21 locations in Sahibganj, Barhet, Rajmahal, Mirza Chauki and Barharwa on 08.07.2022.
Further investigation in the case is in progress.
