Overview
- The Enforcement Directorate arrested former Barabani police officer Manoranjan Mondal after hours of questioning at its Salt Lake/CGO Complex, with officials saying he was taken into custody late on Thursday.
- ED officials cited contradictions in Mondal’s statements and said he could not satisfactorily explain several bank transfers and funds that the agency has placed before a court.
- The arrest is part of an active PMLA money-laundering probe into a purported coal-smuggling network that investigators say involved local operators and facilitation by some public servants.
- Investigators previously carried out searches at Mondal’s Durgapur residence in March and say he avoided multiple ED summonses and remained absconding before appearing for questioning.
- The ED has produced Mondal before a special PMLA court and will seek custody for further financial interrogation as it continues to trace the alleged illicit money flows and connected individuals.