ED attaches assets worth 165.86 crore under PMLA in illegal coal mining case

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, April 5

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Monday that it has issued a provisional attachment order under prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to seize immovable assets to the tune of Rs. 165.86 crore owned by main accused Anup Majee in illegal coal mining case in poll-bound West Bengal.

Officials in the ED said these assets include land, factory premises, plant and machinery and other assets of two companies namely “M/s Ispat Damodar Private Limited and M/s Sonic Thermal Private Limited”. The manufacturing plants of both these companies are situated in Purulia and Bankura districts of West Bengal and beneficially owned by Majee, they added.

According to officials, the ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by CBI in the case and the probe under PMLA revealed that Majee had transferred proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs. 67.80 crore to both the companies in the guise of share purchase for acquiring the plants/assets.

“Additionally, the proceeds of crime to the tune of Rs. 98.06 crore were also transferred to both the companies. Thus Majee transferred Rs. 165.86 crore to the companies in a layered manner though through the maze of shell firms,” said a senior ED official.

In the case, the ED has so far arrested two persons—Vikas Mishra and Ashok Mishra—for their role in laundering the proceeds generated from the illegal coal mining. Vikas Mishra, who is considered to be close to TMC leaders, is in judicial custody and Ashok Mishra is in ED custody till April 7, 2021.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.