Nagpur: In a major action against illegal sand mining, multiple teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids early Friday at nine locations in Nagpur district, creating a stir in political circles and among sand traders. The searches were carried out in Saoner, Patansawangi and Khapa areas and began around 4 am, continuing for several hours.
According to ED officials, the operation is connected to a fake royalty and electronic transit pass (e-TP) scam linked to illegal sand excavation and transportation. Separate teams searched residential premises in the targeted areas and questioned several individuals during the operation. Most of those linked to the case were found at their homes and taken into custody for questioning, while searches at some locations continued till afternoon.
The current crackdown is being seen as an extension of an earlier case in which Nagpur Rural Police had exposed irregularities related to fake royalty receipts and e-TPs, leading to arrests while several suspects had gone absconding. ED officials are now scrutinising documents related to sand mining and transport, forged records, financial transactions, and movable and immovable assets. The investigation is also examining alleged inter-state links, including possible connections with Madhya Pradesh.
As part of a wider nationwide operation, the ED has planned raids at 154 locations across the country, including 54 in Maharashtra and nine in Nagpur district. Teams reached Nagpur late Thursday night from Delhi, with each unit comprising officials and security personnel.
Political affiliations of those under the scanner are also being examined as the probe progresses.
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