Kolkata, June 26: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former West Bengal police officer Manoranjan Mondal in connection with its ongoing investigation into the alleged multi-crore coal smuggling racket in the state. The arrest marks another significant development in one of the country's most high-profile money laundering probes involving illegal coal extraction, alleged corruption, and suspected financial irregularities.

Mondal, who previously served as the Officer-in-Charge of Barabani Police Station in Paschim Bardhaman district, was taken into custody late Thursday after several hours of questioning at the ED's office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake, Kolkata. According to officials, investigators found inconsistencies in his statements during the interrogation and were not satisfied with his explanations regarding certain financial transactions that are under scrutiny.

The ED's action is part of its broader money laundering investigation linked to the alleged illegal extraction and smuggling of coal from mines operated by Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL). The agency has been probing allegations that an organised network involving coal operators, middlemen, and public servants facilitated illegal mining and transportation of coal, causing significant losses to the exchequer while generating substantial illicit proceeds.

Officials said Mondal had been under the agency's scanner for a considerable period. Investigators alleged that he had failed to respond to multiple summons issued earlier during the course of the investigation. During the latest round of questioning, the former police officer reportedly gave contradictory replies on several issues, prompting the agency to place him under arrest under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Sources associated with the investigation indicated that the ED is examining whether certain police officials provided protection to the alleged coal smuggling network while serving in coal belt regions of West Bengal. The agency is also tracing the movement of funds suspected to have been generated through illegal coal operations and examining whether the money was laundered through shell entities and other financial channels.

Mondal had previously faced scrutiny in connection with separate corruption allegations and was suspended from service in 2024. Investigators are also examining his alleged links to other financial irregularities, including cases related to illegal sand mining, as part of a wider probe into corruption involving public officials.

Following his arrest, Mondal was produced before a special PMLA court in Kolkata, where the ED sought his custodial interrogation to further investigate his alleged role in the coal smuggling network. The agency believes that sustained questioning may help uncover additional details about the financial trail and the involvement of other individuals connected to the racket.

The coal smuggling case has remained under investigation for several years and has witnessed multiple searches, arrests, and interrogations involving businessmen, public officials, and other suspects. Central agencies have maintained that the investigation aims to identify the beneficiaries of the illegal coal trade and recover proceeds of crime allegedly generated through the racket.

The ED has stated that its investigation is continuing and that further action will depend on the evidence collected during the course of the probe. Meanwhile, the arrest of Manoranjan Mondal is expected to intensify scrutiny over the alleged nexus between illegal mining operators and public officials in West Bengal's coal belt.