Ranchi, Aug 13: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has widened its money-laundering investigation into an alleged Jharkhand coal scam, summoning five people linked to coal businessmen L.B. Singh and Anil Goyal, according to information available.
Among those summoned are Aarti Singh, wife of L.B. Singh, his brother Vishwavijay Singh, and brother-in-law Ranjit Kumar Singh. Aarti Singh has been asked to appear before the agency on August 20, while Vishwavijay Singh and Ranjit Kumar Singh have been directed to appear on August 14 and August 17, respectively.
Two associates of Anil Goyal — Shabbir Alam and Mahendra Singh — have also been summoned for questioning.
The latest action follows searches conducted by the ED on July 28 at 31 locations in Dhanbad and adjoining areas linked to L.B. Singh, Goyal and their associates.
During the searches, the agency reportedly froze mutual fund investments worth nearly Rs 160 crore, allegedly linked to L.B. Singh. Investigators also recovered around Rs 1.02 crore in unaccounted cash, besides digital devices and documents relating to financial transactions.
The ED also recovered sale deeds and other records concerning more than 200 movable and immovable properties. The agency is examining the seized documents and digital evidence as part of its investigation.
Investigators suspect that proceeds allegedly generated through illegal coal-related activities were used to acquire assets and make investments. The agency is also probing whether illicit earnings were routed through different transactions and entities to allegedly legitimise the proceeds of crime.
The money-laundering case stems from FIRs and charge sheets filed by Jharkhand Police relating to alleged illegal coal mining, theft and transportation of coal, extortion and unlawful levy collection in Dhanbad and neighbouring areas.
The ED had earlier conducted searches in the case in November 2025.
The latest summons to members of the alleged business and family network indicate that the agency is expanding its investigation into the financial dealings and assets associated with those under scrutiny.
There were no direct quotes from ED officials or the summoned individuals in the information provided. The agency’s reported focus is on tracing the alleged proceeds of crime, identifying their movement through financial transactions and determining whether such funds were used to acquire assets or investments.
