A new inspection at the illegal coal mining site in Jharkhand’s Sahebganj’s Nimbu Pahaad area, which was already under the Directorate of Enforcement’s scrutiny, revealed various pieces of evidence indicating that further extraction was taking place.
The accused in the case are Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s MLA representatives Pankaj Mishra, Bishnu Yadav, and others, and the ED is looking into allegations of illegal mining and subsequent money laundering against them.
Mishra was arrested earlier in the same illegal mining case and is currently in judicial custody. A team of top officials identified and inspected the mining site in Mouza Siwria, Anchal Mandro, on Wednesday, the ED said on Friday.
Upon arrival at the site, the ED stated that it was discovered that the said mine was one of several mining sites previously visited and inspected during a joint inspection with ED officials in July 2022.
Previously, officials who inspected the site confirmed that Pankaj Mishra and Bishnu Yadav Ewere operating illegally.
The central enforcement agency stated that the site had been further mined and was visible during the inspection within eight months.