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ED Raids 7–8 Sites Across West Bengal in Illegal Sand Mining Probe

The agency says it is tracing illicit sand profits laundered through businesses, with cash and records seized at targeted sites.

Overview

  • Searches began Thursday morning across Kolkata, Jhargram and Asansol, with operations reported at Lalgarh and Gopiballavpur.
  • Investigators searched the Asansol residence of businessman Manish Bagaria, who has been under scrutiny over alleged sand operations.
  • Properties linked to Sheikh Jahirul were raided in Jhargram, where officials said a large amount of cash was recovered.
  • Field reports described active extraction and trucks at some quarries during the raids, with searches also touching offices such as GD Mining and sites linked to trader Sourav Roy.
  • The action expands a money-laundering inquiry that included 20-plus searches on September 8, with officials probing alleged forged permits, inflated pricing and proceeds estimated by the ED to run into hundreds of crores.