Jharkhand Coal Mafia: Government Accused of ‘Manufacturing Crimes’

The Jharkhand government is facing severe criticism for allegedly creating new criminal incidents to mask deeper corruption, especially within the state’s coal sector. Opposition leader Babulal Marandi has accused the government and its systems of habitually fabricating offenses to hide illegal activities. The Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) recent operations against the powerful coal mafia in Dhanbad have reportedly uncovered critical evidence. A particularly alarming development is the alleged directive from some “top police brass,” who are purportedly benefiting from the illegal coal trade, to eliminate key ground-level operatives of the mafia. These individuals are allegedly being targeted because they are currently cooperating with the ED, with the objective of silencing them and preventing the truth from coming out. Marandi drew parallels to past incidents where “evidence was eliminated through encounters” rather than criminals being apprehended. He referenced a controversial former DGP accused of accepting bribes for staged encounters and amassing corrupt wealth, allegations that were reportedly made by ruling party members. He urged the ED to be extremely vigilant, stating that in Jharkhand, those who conceal the truth often prosper, while truth-tellers face risks. He concluded that when the government, the system, and criminal elements collude, the perversion of justice becomes a simple formality.