The ED has launched a search operation at multiple addresses of coal traders. Since Friday morning, searches have been underway in Dhanbad in Jharkhand and Asansol, Purulia and Kolkata in West Bengal.

According to ED sources, search operations are underway at 18 places in Bengal. Central forces are also accompanying the investigators.

Searches are underway at the home and office of businessman Lalbabu Singh, and multiple addresses of his brother, fellow businessman Kumbhanath Singh.

The Lalbabu group has a contract to extract coal from the mines of state-owned BCCL, ED sources said. The search operation comes after allegations of corruption and multiple irregularities related to financial transactions in coal exports were raised.

A search operation has also been underway at a residence adjacent to the Salt Lake bypass since Friday morning.

As per sources, around ten years ago, the CBI raided Lalbabu Singh’s house and office on allegations of irregularities and corruption in tenders at BCCL.