Coal scam case: CBI raids Bengal law minister Moloy Ghatak’s residences

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• Sep 7, 2022 | Guriya Khatun

Notably, Abhishek Banerjee of the TMC and Ghatak are both being monitored by the ED as part of the investigation into the coal scandal.

Digital Desk: In connection with the alleged coal smuggling scandal, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team conducted raids on at least five homes belonging to West Bengal law and labour minister Molay Ghatak on Wednesday in Kolkata and Asansol.

After Moloy Ghatak ignored repeated requests to appear before the central investigation agency, a raid was conducted at his home.

Ghatak's two homes in Asansol and one in Chelidanga were blocked off early on Sunday morning by a number of central forces that had been dispatched late at night. On Tuesday morning, a six-person CBI team arrived to Ghatak's Asansol residence. They later relocated to Alipore, Lake Gardens, and an area close to Raj Bhavan.

Moloy Ghatak wasn't in his home during the raid. But according to reports, his wife is currently inside his ancestral Asansol mansion.

Notably, Abhishek Banerjee of the TMC and Ghatak are both being monitored by the ED as part of the investigation into the coal scandal.

Abhishek Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, was also called to appear at ED headquarters for questioning in the matter in August. Ghatak and Abhishek's wife Rujira were both summoned at the same time. Grilling of Abhishek Banerjee took place in Salt Lake City's CGO facility.

Note that in November 2020, the CBI opened an investigation into the multi-crore coal theft at Eastern Coalfields Ltd. mines in West Bengal's Kunustoria and Kajora districts near Asansol. Local coal entrepreneur Anup Majhi has been identified as the main suspect in the enormous fraud. The TMC youth wing leader and close aide to Abhishek Banerjee, Vinay Mishra, and his brother Vikas Mishra have also been held in the case, along with the previous Inspector in Charge of the Bankura Police Station, Ashok Kumar Mishra.

There are numerous cases pending against prominent party members of the Trinamool Congress. Partha Chatterjee and Anubrata Mondal were detained in August by the ED and the CBI in connection with the alleged smuggling of cattle and the School Service Commission (SSC) recruitment scam, respectively.