Supreme Court Questions Delay in Coal Smuggling Probe

NEW DELHI, May 13: The Supreme Court on Tuesday questioned the pace of investigation in the multi-crore West Bengal coal smuggling case while hearing a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to alleged kingpin Anup Majee.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to Majee on the ED’s petition challenging the Delhi High Court order that granted him protection from arrest in June last year.

During the proceedings, the bench expressed concern over the prolonged nature of the investigation, observing that the probe had continued for nearly six years without reaching a conclusion. The court remarked that investigative agencies must avoid unnecessary delays in sensitive financial crime cases.

The ED argued that Majee, also known as Lala, was a central figure in the illegal coal extraction and transportation network allegedly operating across parts of eastern India. The agency contended that custodial interrogation was necessary to uncover the money trail and identify other individuals linked to the alleged racket.

According to the ED, proceeds generated through illegal mining and transportation activities were allegedly laundered through multiple channels involving shell entities and financial intermediaries.

Counsel representing Majee opposed the plea, maintaining that he had cooperated with investigators and complied with legal procedures. The defence also argued that there was no justification for cancelling the anticipatory bail already granted by the Delhi High Court.

The coal smuggling case has remained politically sensitive because of allegations involving local operators, business entities, and alleged links to influential figures in West Bengal. Multiple agencies, including the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, have been probing different aspects of the matter.

The Supreme Court observed that agencies must strike a balance between conducting an effective investigation and ensuring that legal proceedings are not unnecessarily prolonged.

Legal experts said the court’s observations could influence future hearings related to long-pending financial crime investigations. The judiciary has increasingly emphasised accountability, transparency, and timely completion of probes involving economic offences.

The ED has alleged large-scale irregularities in coal extraction operations around the Eastern Coalfields region. Investigators believe that illegal transportation networks enabled unauthorised movement of coal over several years.

The matter is likely to witness further hearings after Majee files his response to the ED’s challenge. The case continues to attract political and legal attention due to its scale and the involvement of multiple agencies.