Enforcement Directorate Raids 27 Locations: In one of the most significant enforcement actions against illegal sand mining and associated money laundering in recent years, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted coordinated raids at 27 locations across West Bengal on Monday, September 8, 2025. The operations, which commenced early in the morning, involved more than 100 ED officials, supported by central paramilitary forces.
The raids targeted a widespread syndicate suspected of illegal sand extraction, financial irregularities, and money laundering activities, spanning multiple districts in West Bengal and connected operations in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Odisha.
Focus of the Investigation: GD Mining Pvt Ltd and Associated Entities
At the center of the investigation is GD Mining Pvt Ltd, which allegedly operates a network of illegal sand extraction sites. In West Bengal alone, the company runs operations at five locations: two in Bankura and three in Jhargram. The corporate headquarters is located in Sector V, Kolkata, with the registered office on James Long Sarani.
Dhiman Chakraborty, one of the directors, reportedly controls 19 companies across India. The ED raided his residence in Kalyani, seizing critical documents and equipment used in alleged fraudulent financial transactions. Chakraborty is linked to two other mining companies that are also under investigation.
Investigators discovered that trucks used by GD Mining carried forged identification codes, suggesting a systemic effort to evade legal scrutiny. Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate that proceeds from illegal sand mining were being laundered through insurance policies, prompting raids on the residences of insurance agents, including one in Regent Park.
Key Individuals and Locations Targeted
Sheikh Jahirul – A former village police volunteer, Jahirul is accused of managing illegal sand mining along the banks of the Subarnarekha River. The ED raided his three-storey residence in Gopiballavpur, vehicles, and offices. Associates Amarjit Bera and Ananta Bera also had their residences searched.
Sourav Roy – Owner of two West Midnapore-based companies involved in sand mining activities at Sijua, Lalgarh, and Gopiballavpur. During the raids, officials seized approximately ₹65 lakh in cash from his residence in Jamunabali, near Midnapore city.
Sk Zahurul Ali – A businessman from Jhargram, he is alleged to have accumulated substantial wealth over the past decade through illegal sand operations. His three-storey residence on the banks of the Subarnarekha River was raided, and ₹25 lakh in cash was recovered.
These raids reportedly lasted several hours at each location and involved meticulous examination of documents, vehicles, and other assets suspected to be connected to the illegal operations.
Enforcement Directorate Raids 27 Locations: Political Reactions and Public Debate
The raids have triggered political reactions throughout West Bengal.
- Opposition Response: Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari criticized the sand mining operations, alleging that while the state exchequer received a fraction of the revenue legally due, the remainder was siphoned off through fraudulent methods. He accused senior police officers and ruling party politicians of complicity in enabling these illegal activities.
- Ruling Party Response: Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh dismissed the raids as politically motivated, suggesting that the timing followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent speech in the state. The TMC criticized the central agencies’ involvement, questioning the impartiality of the investigation.
The political narrative highlights the complex intersection between illegal mining, governance, and enforcement agencies in India, particularly in resource-rich states.
Environmental and Socioeconomic Impacts
Illegal sand mining is not merely a financial crime—it has significant environmental consequences. Unregulated extraction from riverbeds disrupts ecosystems, accelerates riverbank erosion, and threatens aquatic biodiversity. Communities dependent on rivers for agriculture and fishing face direct consequences from over-extraction.
Sand is a critical resource for construction, and its scarcity due to illegal extraction inflates market prices, affecting builders, contractors, and end consumers. Reports suggest that illegal syndicates often evade permits and regulations, further undermining state revenue and resource management efforts.
The Mechanisms of Illegal Operations
Investigations by the ED revealed sophisticated financial mechanisms used to launder profits:
- Manipulated invoices and fake challans for sand transportation
- Use of multiple companies and shell entities to obscure financial trails
- Conversion of cash into insurance policies and other financial instruments
Experts note that dismantling such networks requires coordinated intelligence, financial forensics, and cross-state cooperation, given the syndicate’s multi-state footprint.
Enforcement Directorate’s Next Steps
The ED aims to:
- Trace illicit funds and identify all individuals and companies involved.
- Recover assets and cash accumulated through illegal activities.
- Coordinate with state police and environmental authorities to ensure cease of ongoing illegal mining operations.
- Examine financial intermediaries, such as insurance companies, for potential complicity.
These measures signal a comprehensive approach, targeting both operational and financial aspects of illegal sand mining.
Human Angle: Communities Affected by Illegal Sand Mining
Local residents in affected districts have reported:
- Riverbank collapses leading to loss of homes and agricultural land
- Depleted water levels, affecting irrigation and drinking water
- Reduced fish stocks, impacting local livelihoods
Activists and environmentalists argue that enforcement agencies must not only pursue financial criminals but also restore ecosystem balance and provide relief to affected communities.
Broader Implications for India
Illegal sand mining is a nationwide problem. Studies indicate that in states like Bihar, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh, similar syndicates operate with minimal oversight. Crackdowns in West Bengal may set a precedent for stricter enforcement and regulatory reforms elsewhere.
Experts suggest:
- Strengthening monitoring mechanisms using technology like drones and satellite imagery
- Enforcing transparent permit systems and real-time tracking of sand transport
- Instituting community surveillance programs to report illegal activity
Conclusion
The ED’s raids across 27 locations mark a decisive step against illegal sand mining in West Bengal. Beyond financial enforcement, the operation underscores the need for integrated approaches combining legal action, environmental restoration, and community welfare.
The coming months will be crucial in observing whether the crackdown leads to sustained cessation of illegal operations, recovery of illicit assets, and policy reforms to prevent recurrence.
External References
- National Green Tribunal: Sand Mining Guidelines
- Enforcement Directorate Official Portal
- UN Environment Programme: Sand Mining and Ecosystems
- Centre for Science and Environment: Riverine Sand Mining Impact
- West Bengal Pollution Control Board – Environmental Reports
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
