State Bureau, Ranchi: The Jharkhand High Court has ordered a CBI investigation into coal theft in Dhanbad and the alleged involvement of the police. Justice S.K. Dwivedi’s court stated in its order that all the evidence provided by the petitioner in the case is worthy of investigation.
This case pertains to the theft of the state’s significant coal resources, and therefore, the investigation should be conducted by the CBI. If the facts are found to be true during the investigation, the CBI can proceed with further actions.
Court’s Decision was Reserved The court has also directed an investigation against all the police officers named as respondents in the case. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on September 27.
This petition was filed by Arup Chatterjee, a private news channel operator. The petition stated that he had lodged an FIR regarding coal theft in Dhanbad, accusing several collieries of stealing coal and engaging in illegal trade. The then SSP, Sanjeev Kumar, and other police officials were named as accused. The petitioner also provided evidence, alleging that a syndicate is operating in Dhanbad, facilitating coal theft.
Allegation of Illegal Coal Trade Through this syndicate, an illegal coal trade is being conducted, and the profits are being shared among officials, police, criminals, and others. During previous hearings, BCCL (Bharat Coking Coal Limited) presented FIR documents related to coal theft before the court.
It was stated that BCCL officials lodge FIRs regarding coal theft, but deliberately no action is taken. The petitioner filed the petition in court because no action was taken on his FIR application regarding coal theft.
Government Argues Petition is Not Worth Hearing Senior Supreme Court advocate Kapil Sibal, representing the respondents, argued that the petition is not worth hearing. He claimed that the allegations of extortion against police officials in connection with the illegal coal trade in Dhanbad are baseless.
He further stated that the police had taken action at various levels based on the petitioner’s application. Additionally, the petitioner is not the victim in this case. The police have taken action against the petitioner, and as a result, he filed the FIR application to frame the police.
