The CBI on Tuesday questioned Anup Majhi, alleged ‘mastermind’ of illegal mining and theft of coal in West Bengal. The agency has summoned him again on Thursday.
“The accused was questioned for about eight hours,” said an agency official. Majhi had earlier moved the Supreme Court seeking relief. After hearing both sides, the court put a stay on his arrest till the next hearing on April 6.
The CBI had in November registered a case against Majhi and others, alleging illegal mining and theft of coal from the Kunustoria and Majora collieries of the Eastern Coalfields Limited (MCL). Several officials of the ECL, the CISF and the Railways also came under the scanner. Searches were carried out against the accused persons.
Based on the CBI case, the Enforcement Directorate has also been probing the money-laundering angle and has conducted searches.