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‘Lakhs of rupees’ unearthed in ED raids across 20 Bengal locations probing ‘illegal sand mining racket’

The raids were a result of a long-standing investigation by the central agency into the alleged flow of illicit funds generated from the alleged illegal sand trade. (Express photo)

After extensive raids across West Bengal on Monday as part of an investigation into an alleged illegal sand mining racket, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly seized lakhs of rupees and other “crucial evidence”. Over 20 locations were searched, including spots in Medinipur, Jhargram, Kolkata, Nadia, and North 24 Parganas.

The raids started at 6 am on Monday and lasted over 15 hours. ED officials said they seized approximately Rs 65 lakh in cash from the residence of sand trader Sourav Roy in Jamunabali, near Midnapore city. ED teams arrived in three vehicles and raided Roy’s house early on Monday morning. A second team arrived at his home around 7.30 pm on Monday evening.

The second team of officials later departed with two bags containing the alleged recovered cash along with mobile phones and various other items. Sources said Roy owns several sand mines in Jhargram and operates his business from a large bungalow and an office in Lalgarh. He resides in Jamunabali with his family. Roy was not present at his home during the raid.

Simultaneously, a separate ED team raided the home of Sheikh Zahirul Ali in Gopiballavpur, Jhargram. Investigators reportedly recovered around Rs 25 lakh from his residence. Sources in the agency claim that an additional Rs 12 lakh was also recovered from him. Ali, a resident of Gopiballabhpur, is also known to be involved in the sand business. His three-storey house is located on the banks of the Subarnarekha River.

The raids were a result of a long-standing investigation by the central agency into the alleged flow of illicit funds generated from the alleged illegal sand trade. The searches were carried out with the support of the Central forces, which cordoned off the areas.

In addition to the raids at the businessmen’s residences, the ED also targeted the offices of a company suspected of being involved in the illegal sand trade. Searches were conducted at the company’s offices on James Long Sarani in Behala and in Sector V of Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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