In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday submitted a detailed charge sheet before a special CBI court in Kolkata, shedding light on a massive illegal sand mining operation in West Bengal. The probe has uncovered financial irregularities amounting to nearly Rs 145 crore.
Key Accused and Witness in the Case
The charge sheet names a total of 14 companies and 4 individuals. Prominent among the accused is businessman Arun Saraf, along with three of his employees. In a related move, businessman Anuran Kumar Senapati, who was previously questioned by the ED, has been listed as a witness. Senapati's legal counsel, Sanjib Dan, stated that his client had fully cooperated with the investigating agency throughout the process.
Modus Operandi and Financial Discrepancies
The ED investigation revealed that illegal sand mining and sales had been ongoing for an extended period under the cover of several specific companies. The agency alleged that Arun Saraf conducted financial transactions through indirect means, deliberately avoiding maintaining direct accounts in his own name to obscure the money trail.
A startling discrepancy was found in the financial records. While Saraf admitted to sand sales worth Rs 103 crore, the ED's forensic analysis showed that approximately Rs 130 crore was deposited into his accounts, indicating a significant mismatch and potential undisclosed income.
Verification and Next Steps
During the period when Arun Saraf was in ED custody, authorities conducted physical verification of sand stocks at 13 different locations across the state. This was done to corroborate the evidence gathered during the investigation. The legal proceedings will continue, with the next hearing in the case scheduled for Monday.
The filing of this charge sheet marks a crucial step in the central agency's crackdown on the illegal sand mining racket in Bengal, which has long been a concern for environmental and revenue authorities.
