ED tightens coal smuggling probe, 2 traders taken into custody ahead of Bengal polls

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday night arrested two coal traders in connection with the coal smuggling case in West Bengal after what officials described as multiple inconsistencies surfaced during their interrogation. The arrests come amid intensified scrutiny ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.

The arrested men have been identified as Kiran Khan and Chinmoy Mondal. Chinmoy is believed to be closely associated with Lala, one of the key accused in the coal smuggling case. Officials said both were questioned in several rounds before being taken into custody late at night.

The arrests follow a renewed push by the central agency in the long-running coal smuggling investigation. In recent days, ED teams carried out searches at multiple locations, including Raniganj and Jamuria in the Asansol area. During one such raid, nearly ₹1.5 crore in cash was recovered from a warehouse linked to a businessman in Jamuria.

Investigators believe the custodial interrogation of the two arrested traders could help uncover critical details about the alleged smuggling network and the flow of illegal funds. Officials are also probing who benefitted from the proceeds of the coal trade as the investigation continues.