Key Takeaways
- The CBI has arrested ECL general manager Naresh Chandra Saha and civil contractor Ashwini Kumar Yadav for alleged involvement in a coal smuggling case.
- The arrested individuals are alleged to be involved in a coal pilferage scam.
- The CBI is expected to file a charge sheet in the first week of July.
Asansol (WB): A special court here has sent ECL general manager Naresh Chandra Saha and a civil contractor to four-day CBI custody for their alleged involvement in a coal scam case, court sources said on Saturday.
Saha, the GM of safety at the CIL’s subsidiary of Eastern Coalfields Ltd Kajora mine, and civil contractor Ashwini Kumar Yadav, were arrested on Friday after questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s anti-corruption wing at the federal agency’s Nizam Palace office in Kolkata.
They were summoned for questioning for their alleged nexus with the prime accused Anup Majhi in the coal smuggling case, in which the CBI has made arrests.
CBI’s special court Judge Rajesh Chakraborty ordered the remand and told the probe agency to find out all the kingpins in the coal pilferage scam.
Sources said the CBI is expected to file a charge sheet in the first week of July.
Kajora area is one of the 14 operational areas of ECL located in Durgapur subdivision of Paschim Bardhaman district.
The CBI has been investigating the alleged coal smuggling case since 2020. During the probe, the name of Anup Majhi alias Lala cropped up as the prime suspect in the case.
The central agency has so far conducted several raids, including at Majhi’s office and residence along with those of his associates.
Last month, Majhi surrendered at the Special CBI court in Asansol and was granted conditional bail.
