Dhanbad, Nov 21: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning raided several locations linked to coal businessman and outsourcing company operator L.B. Singh and his brother Kumbhnath Singh. According to sources, raids are currently underway at around 18 locations across the city and nearby areas.
A number of ED officials, along with security forces, have been deployed as part of this operation. The action is being seen in connection with the ongoing investigation into an alleged coal scam. The agency has been examining cases related to illegal mining and transportation of coal in Dhanbad and surrounding regions for some time.
Sources said the business activities and financial transactions of both brothers are under the scanner. L.B. Singh and Kumbhnath Singh are known to be associated with a major coal outsourcing company, with business operations spread across several mining areas.
Reports further suggest that allegations related to illegal mining, tender irregularities and financial misconduct have surfaced against them, though the matters remain subject to investigation.
The latest raids have also brought back memories of an old case from nearly a decade ago, when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had conducted a search at L.B. Singh’s premises during a probe into an alleged tender scam in BCCL. At that time, serious allegations were made that the CBI team was fired upon, following which L.B. Singh was arrested. The case remained in court for a long period, and he was later released as legal proceedings continued.
In the current operation, the ED is reported to have seized several important documents, digital records and papers related to financial transactions.
Investigating officials are reportedly trying to trace how much of the income generated through coal outsourcing was from alleged illegal sources and through which channels the money may have been routed.
