Ranchi NIA court convicts 14 in coal project terror funding case
Synopsis
A special NIA court in Ranchi has convicted 14 people in a terror funding case centred on coal transportation contracts at two major CCL projects in Jharkhand. The verdict exposes an alleged nexus of officials, police, and extremists who reportedly funnelled inflated contract proceeds to the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee — with sentencing due on 18 August.
Key Takeaways
A special NIA court in Ranchi convicted 14 accused on 12 August in a terror funding case linked to CCL's Magadh and Amrapali coal projects .
Sentencing arguments are scheduled for 18 August .
Ajit Kumar Thakur , General Manager of the Amrapali Coal Project, was acquitted; proceedings against Aakraman Ji continue separately.
Several convicts were allegedly members of the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) ; others collected levy on its behalf.
The NIA alleged coal transportation contracts were awarded at inflated rates to channel funds to the TPC, involving a nexus of CCL officials, police, and local peace committee members.
The NIA took over the case from Tandwa Police Station on 13 February 2018 and charged 16 accused .
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Ranchi on Wednesday, 12 August convicted 14 accused following trial in a terror funding case tied to the Magadh and Amrapali coal projects of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Jharkhand. The quantum of sentences will be pronounced on 18 August.
Who Was Convicted
Those found guilty include Vinod Ganjhu, Munesh Ganjhu, Birbal Ganjhu, Bindu Ganjhu, Koharam, Subhan Mian, Sanjay Jain, Prem Vikas, Mukesh Ganjhu, Bhikhan Ganjhu, Gopal Singh Bhokta, and Anishchay Ganjhu, among others. The court, however, acquitted Ajit Kumar Thakur, General Manager of the Amrapali Coal Project. Proceedings against another accused, Aakraman Ji, are continuing separately.
The Terror Funding Network
According to the NIA, several of the convicts were members of the banned extremist outfit Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC), while others were involved in collecting levy payments on its behalf. Investigators alleged that coal transportation contracts at the two projects were secured at inflated rates specifically to facilitate levy payments to the TPC.
The agency's probe further alleged a nexus involving CCL officials, police personnel, extremists, and members linked to local peace committees — an arrangement that allegedly enabled funds to be systematically channelled to the banned organisation.
Case Background
The case originated from Tandwa Police Station Case No. 2/2016. The NIA assumed charge of the investigation on 13 February 2018 and subsequently filed a chargesheet against 16 accused after completing its probe. The trial had been underway in the NIA Special Court in Ranchi. Notably, the TPC has been on India's list of banned extremist outfits and has historically operated across parts of Jharkhand's coal belt, extorting contractors and businesses through coercive levy systems.
What Happens Next
The special NIA court is scheduled to hear arguments on sentencing on 18 August before pronouncing punishment for the 14 convicted individuals. The verdict marks one of the more significant convictions in a coal-sector terror funding case in Jharkhand in recent years.
Point of View
Police, and peace committee members — suggesting institutional capture, not just fringe criminality. The NIA's success in securing 14 convictions after a seven-year investigation is notable, but the acquittal of the CCL General Manager will invite scrutiny of how high the accountability chain actually reached. With sentencing pending, the real test is whether the punishment is proportionate enough to deter similar arrangements at other coal projects across Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ranchi NIA court terror funding case about?
It is a case in which a special NIA court in Ranchi convicted 14 people for allegedly channelling funds to the banned Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) through inflated coal transportation contracts at CCL's Magadh and Amrapali projects in Jharkhand. The case originated from a 2016 Tandwa Police Station FIR, with the NIA taking over the probe in February 2018.
Who are the 14 people convicted in the Ranchi NIA verdict?
The convicted individuals include Vinod Ganjhu, Munesh Ganjhu, Birbal Ganjhu, Bindu Ganjhu, Koharam, Subhan Mian, Sanjay Jain, Prem Vikas, Mukesh Ganjhu, Bhikhan Ganjhu, Gopal Singh Bhokta, and Anishchay Ganjhu, among others. Several were allegedly members or levy collectors of the banned TPC extremist outfit.
When will sentencing be pronounced in the Ranchi NIA coal case?
The special NIA court is scheduled to hear arguments on sentencing on 18 August, after which punishment will be pronounced for the 14 convicted accused.
What is the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC)?
The Tritiya Prastuti Committee is a banned extremist outfit that has historically operated in Jharkhand's coal belt, extorting contractors and businesses through coercive levy systems. The NIA alleged that funds from CCL coal project contracts were diverted to the TPC to financially sustain the organisation.
Was anyone acquitted in the Ranchi NIA coal terror funding case?
Yes, the court acquitted Ajit Kumar Thakur, General Manager of the Amrapali Coal Project. Proceedings against another accused, Aakraman Ji, are continuing separately before the court.
