60 lakh cash, 1 kilo gold seized in CBI raid ahead of state polls

In the ongoing investigation into a 1000 crore illegal mining case in Sahibganj, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted extensive raids across Jharkhand, Bihar, and Bengal on Tuesday. The operation, launched early in the morning, targeted a total of 20 locations, uncovering substantial evidence, including cash, gold, and documents tied to the illegal mineral trade.

The raids covered key locations: three sites in Ranchi, one in Gumla, 13 in Sahibganj, two in Kolkata, and one in Patna. The agency seized approximately Rs 60 lakh in cash, one kilogram of gold, 1.2 kilograms of silver, and 61 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. Additionally, CBI agents secured documents linked to real estate transactions, shell companies, and significant investments, all critical to unraveling the extent of the illegal operations.

Several individuals, including power broker Prem Prakash, District Mining Officer Vibhuti Kumar, Chartered Accountant Jaishankar Jaipuria, CTS Company, and local stone traders, have come under scrutiny. From Vibhuti Kumar’s premises alone, authorities found investment documents worth Rs 1.5 crore, along with jewelry valued at about Rs 50 lakh.

The operation began around 6:00 am, with the CBI targeting the homes and offices of people allegedly involved in mineral extraction and transport without valid permits. One prominent figure, Pankaj Mishra, has connections to those raided but was not directly targeted in this wave of searches.

Key seizures included gold and cash from individuals linked to the illicit mineral trade. In Sahibganj, the CBI retrieved one kilogram of gold from stone trader Bhagwan Bhagat. Ranjan Verma’s premises yielded Rs 7 lakh in cash and 1.2 kilograms of silver, while Amit Jaiswal’s hideout provided Rs 42 lakh in cash. Each of these individuals is suspected of playing a role in the illegal mining network spanning several states.

The CBI continues to analyze the vast cache of documents, hoping to untangle the financial networks tied to the mining racket. With links to various shell companies and substantial investments, the evidence points toward a wide-ranging operation involving several high-profile figures in the illegal trade of minerals. The operation marks one of the largest efforts to curb illegal mining activities and bring justice to those involved.