Guwahati, Jan 31: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Shillong Sub-Zonal Office, conducted extensive search operations on illegal coke plants running in Guwahati and Meghalaya and found cash amounting to Rs 14.2 Lakh and various incriminating documents.
The raids were conducted on January 28, 2025, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 ED, in several places in Guwahati and Kolkata connected to illegal coke plants in Meghalaya which were shut down due to an order of the Meghalaya High Court in PIL No. 14 of 2022.
The raids spanned multiple locations across Guwahati and Kolkata, targeting entities linked to illegal coke plants in Meghalaya that had been shut down following a Meghalaya High Court directive.
The crackdown stems from a High Court order dated December 16, 2022, issued in PIL No. 14 of 2022, which mandated the closure of all coke plants operating illegally in Meghalaya. The directive followed an FIR lodged by the ADC-cum-SDO (Civil) of Mawshynrut Civil Sub-Division after a joint operation with the police led to the shutdown of 57 illegal coke plants in the Challenge area of West Khasi Hills District.
The ED’s investigation, initiated based on the FIR registered at Shallang Police Station, uncovered significant violations. Many of the coke plants were found to be operating without necessary permits or in direct contravention of environmental regulations. Notably, investigations revealed that these operations were largely controlled by individuals from Assam, despite being formally registered under the names of local residents from Meghalaya—a practice indicative of benami transactions.
Further inquiries highlighted the use of illegally mined coal, with no legitimate sources for the raw material. The illegal operations reportedly generated substantial proceeds of crime through the sale of both coal and processed coke.
During the searches, officials seized incriminating documents, cash amounting to Rs. 14.2 lakh, and evidence of high-value cross-border financial transactions. Property documents and details of numerous bank and mutual fund accounts were also recovered, pointing to significant financial gains from the unlawful operations.
Investigations are ongoing, the ED said.
