NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to examine the Enforcement Directorate’s petition seeking cancellation of anticipatory bail granted to alleged West Bengal coal smuggling accused Anup Majee, also known as Lala. The court issued notice to Majee while remarking that the investigation had been continuing for nearly six years.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta heard the ED’s challenge to the Delhi High Court order that granted relief to Majee in June last year. However, the bench refused to accord an urgent hearing and scheduled the matter for September, allowing the interim protection from arrest to continue till then.
Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju argued that Majee had earlier evaded investigation and described him as the central figure in an illegal mining network involving alleged large-scale diversion of coal resources. He also informed the court that one of Majee’s close associates remained absconding.
Senior advocate Siddhartha Dave, representing Majee, opposed the plea and maintained that his client had fully cooperated with investigators. He submitted that Majee had appeared before the agency on multiple occasions, including several instances without any court protection.
The bench initially showed reluctance in entertaining the ED’s plea but later agreed to issue notice after repeated submissions by the agency.
The money laundering investigation stems from a CBI case registered in 2020 concerning alleged illegal coal extraction and transportation in West Bengal. Investigators suspect that proceeds generated through the racket were routed through various channels.
During searches linked to the case, the ED reportedly recovered documents and handwritten records from premises associated with Majee’s accountant. The agency claims these records contain coded details of alleged cash transactions and payments made to multiple individuals during 2020 and 2021.
The investigation also led to the arrest of a police officer from Bankura district in 2021 in connection with the alleged handling of cash deliveries related to the case.