Calcutta High Court quashes FIR against CBI officer Umesh Kumar in coal smuggling case

In a significant development in the coal smuggling case, the Calcutta High Court on Monday quashed the FIR filed against CBI officer Umesh Kumar and others. Justice Uday Kumar dismissed the case, bringing relief to the investigating agency and its officials who had been under legal scrutiny since 2022.

The FIR was originally lodged at Bishnupur Police Station under the Diamond Harbour Police District in May 2022, following allegations made by a Trinamool Congress worker from South 24 Parganas. The complaint came after the individual was questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with the ongoing coal smuggling probe. The case, registered under multiple sections, was later handed over to the state’s CID for investigation.

Challenging the FIR, the CBI approached the High Court seeking its quashing, arguing that the case was not sustainable. The court had earlier granted an interim stay on proceedings. After hearing the matter in detail, the court on Monday delivered its final verdict, setting aside the FIR and effectively ending the legal proceedings against Umesh Kumar in this matter.

Umesh Kumar has played a key role in the coal smuggling investigation as the chief investigating officer, leading multiple probes into alleged syndicates, including the so-called Lala network. He and his team conducted interrogations of officials linked to Eastern Coalfields Limited and presented updates before the special CBI court in Asansol. The FIR filed against him in 2022 had triggered controversy, which now stands resolved following the court’s ruling.