India Today NE impact: IT and CBI unearth property and cash documents in sweeping raid on on alleged coal mafia in Margherita

In a sweeping operation lasting over 33 hours, the Income Tax Department and the Central Bureau of Investigation joined forces to conduct raids at the residences, offices, and coal Bhatta owned by at the residences coal mafia bosses, Bayani Ganesh, Sunil Gurung and Guvin Chetry, at Margherita in Tinsukia district. 

The IT and CBI teams have uncovered numerous property and cash-related documents during the raid at the residences and offices of the accused coal businessmen.

The raid, which commenced on December 1 morning at 8:00 am and continued until December 2 5:00 pm, was supported by a massive team of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel, ensuring the logistical backing required for such an extensive operation. Notably, the absence of Margherita police personnel during the raid hours raised eyebrows.

Sources close to the investigation reveal that the trio is allegedly involved in operating a coal syndicate and engaging in illegal coal mining activities across various coal fields under the North Eastern Coalfields, Coal India Ltd., Margherita. 

An anonymous coal trader from Margherita disclosed that the simultaneous raids aimed to expose not only the trio but also unveil the involvement of heavyweight politicians and other stakeholders supporting the illegal coal trade.

As of 5:00 pm today, the IT and CBI teams concluded their search at Bayani Ganesh and Guvin Chetry's residences, while the raid continued at Sunil Gurung's residence. The investigation is expected to reveal more details as it progresses.

Noteworthy is the extensive wealth held by the accused individuals. Sunil Gurung, who owns SG Hub, a multi-storey restaurant in Bashbari Bargolai, in addition to several bighas of tea gardens, plots and flats across Guwahati, Delhi and Nepal, stands out. Similarly, Bayani Ganesh possesses billions of rupees worth of property in his native state, Andhra Pradesh, while Guvin Chetry is reported to own billions worth of property as well.