ED raids unearth cash and WhatsApp chats in Illegal Mining Probe

Ranchi: In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at 12 locations, targeting the Chief Minister’s press advisor, Vinod Singh, and others in connection with an illegal mining case. The operation yielded a discovery of Rs 25 lakh in cash and pertinent investment documents at Vinod Singh’s residence on Ratu Road.
Simultaneously, the ED unearthed 30 benami bank accounts during a search at the hideout of Sahibganj stone businessman Kanhaiya Khudaniya. Notably, all these accounts were found to be in series, and the checkbooks associated with these accounts have been confiscated. The ED promptly imposed a ban on the operation of these accounts at Canara Bank.
The investigation took an intriguing turn with the recovery of WhatsApp chat details involving political leaders and officers from Vinod Singh’s mobile phone. Sources indicate that just before the ED raid, an employee named Rakesh Kumar absconded with several crucial documents. Former MLA Rajkishore Yadav and Kolkata’s Abhay Saraogi have been summoned for questioning, though both were not present during the raid.
In a separate development, the Deputy Commissioner of Sahibganj had Rs 8 lakh in cash seized during the operation, along with the discovery of 14 9 mm bullets from a banned pistol. The official is reportedly unable to provide satisfactory information about the source of the cash. Meanwhile, copies of petitions filed by Pankaj Mishra against the ED in various courts were found at the residence of another individual, shedding light on his association with Pankaj Mishra, currently in jail on charges related to illegal mining.