The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested West Bengal police officer Manoranjan Mondal late Thursday night, 19 June, following a marathon interrogation session at the agency's Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata, in connection with the multi-crore coal smuggling case. Mondal, who had evaded multiple ED summonses and remained absconding for an extended period, was finally taken into custody after hours of questioning during which he allegedly contradicted his own statements repeatedly.

Key Developments

According to sources aware of the development, Mondal appeared before ED officials at their Salt Lake office for interrogation in the coal smuggling case. During the session, he reportedly contradicted himself on several counts and refused to answer certain questions put to him by interrogating officers. He was formally arrested late Thursday night and is set to be produced before a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata, where the agency's counsel is expected to seek ED custody for further questioning.

Who Is Manoranjan Mondal

Manoranjan Mondal is attached to the Special Branch of the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissariat in West Burdwan district, West Bengal. He had earlier served as the officer-in-charge of Barabani Police Station in the same district — the role that reportedly drew the ED's attention to his alleged involvement in facilitating coal smuggling. The ED had sent him multiple summonses in the past, all of which he reportedly ignored, and he remained absconding for a significant period before appearing on Thursday.

Controversial Record and Prior Action

Mondal carries a chequered service history. In 2024, he was suspended on corruption charges. Around that time, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made pointed public remarks on the coal smuggling issue. Following her comments, Mondal — then serving as officer-in-charge of Barabani police station — was suspended and a judicial inquiry was initiated against him. In March this year, ED officials conducted extensive raids and search operations at his residence in Durgapur, the industrial city in West Burdwan district.

Broader Probe: Sand Mining Link

The ED's interest in Mondal extends beyond coal smuggling. According to sources, he is also under the agency's scanner in connection with an illegal sand mining case — suggesting a wider pattern of alleged involvement in organised resource extraction rackets in the region. This comes amid the ED's sustained crackdown on money laundering linked to Bengal's coal and mining networks, a probe that has ensnared politicians, businessmen, and now serving police officers.

What Happens Next

Mondal will be produced before the PMLA special court in Kolkata, where the ED is expected to argue for custodial remand to pursue further interrogation. The outcome of the custody hearing will determine the pace of the next phase of the investigation. Legal observers note that his alleged pattern of evasion and self-contradiction during questioning could strengthen the agency's case for extended custody.