Jharkhand Govt Accused of ‘Evidence Encounters’ Amidst Coal Probe

Allegations of fabricating crimes to hide existing ones have been made against the Jharkhand government by Babulal Marandi, the state BJP chief and leader of the opposition. Marandi described this as a deliberate tactic by the administration and the system to evade accountability. Recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) actions in Dhanbad’s coal sector have reportedly exposed significant illicit dealings. The most alarming aspect, according to Marandi, is the alleged directive from ‘top police brass,’ reportedly benefiting from the coal trade’s illegal earnings, to ‘permanently remove’ foot soldiers of the coal mafia. This is reportedly to prevent them from cooperating with the ED investigation. The opposition leader further stated that plans are allegedly underway to assassinate individuals being questioned by the ED to ensure that the truth does not surface. He alluded to past events in Jharkhand where criminals were allegedly eliminated in staged ‘evidence encounters’ to destroy incriminating evidence. Marandi also referenced a former DGP who faced accusations of taking contracts for killings and engaging in unprecedented corruption, allegations that even came from ruling party figures. He strongly advised the ED to proceed with utmost caution, noting that the prevailing environment favors those who conceal facts over those who reveal them. When the state apparatus, law enforcement, and criminal enterprises become intertwined, the compromise of justice is an almost certain outcome.