CBI Cracks Down on Coal Extortion Racket in Jharkhand: 7 Arrested, Including CCL Staff
In a major bust against corruption in Jharkhand’s coal industry, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested seven people on Tuesday. This includes three employees from Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) caught in an illegal extortion scheme during coal transportation in the Giddi area of Ramgarh district. The arrests highlight the ongoing fight against coal sector corruption in Jharkhand, where such scams have become a big worry for traders and transporters.
The CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Ranchi led the operation after receiving complaints about systematic extortion from coal traders. Officials say the accused ran an organized racket, forcing truck drivers and traders to pay bribes—disguised as commissions—to clear coal-laden vehicles during road sales. This illegal recovery and extortion racket had been operating for a while, siphoning money from honest businesses in the coal transportation process.
Among the arrested CCL employees are Anil Kumar, Deepak Kumar, and Naresh Kumar. Anil Kumar works as the Security Officer/Manager (Mining) at Giddi C Colliery Project in Argada Area. Deepak Kumar is a Clerk Grade-III at the same colliery, while Naresh Kumar serves as a security guard. CBI investigators accuse them of manipulating transaction processes to demand and collect these bribes.
Joining them in custody are four others: Mohd Saddam, Israel Ansari, Mohd Tabarak, and Arun Lal. These individuals acted as coal lifters and brokers, allegedly collecting the illegal payments to allow coal lifting and smooth passage for trucks. The CBI’s Ranchi unit registered the case under RC 9(A)/2025-R and conducted several raids in the Giddi area. During these searches, they uncovered strong evidence of the extortion network.
A senior CBI official shared that the team will produce all seven accused in court soon. The investigation continues to uncover more links in this coal extortion case, with the roles of additional officials and middlemen now under scrutiny. This crackdown comes as concerns grow over frequent reports of illegal levies and corrupt practices in Jharkhand’s coal sector, aiming to clean up the industry for fairer operations.
