Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has accused the Jharkhand government of fabricating new crimes as a smokescreen to hide existing criminal activities and corruption. Marandi asserted that the state’s administration and its systemic apparatus are now resorting to creating fabricated offenses to obscure the truth, particularly concerning the thriving illegal coal trade in Dhanbad. Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have reportedly brought to light significant evidence of this deep-rooted nexus. A particularly disturbing aspect of this alleged conspiracy involves senior police officials, reportedly profiting from the coal mafia’s illegal earnings. These officials are said to have sanctioned the elimination of ground-level enforcers of the mafia, thereby attempting to permanently silence potential witnesses. Reports indicate that individuals being questioned by the ED are allegedly being targeted for murder to prevent the revelation of crucial information. This tactic of ‘evidence encounters,’ where incriminating facts are eliminated through staged killings, is not unprecedented in Jharkhand. The state has previously seen a DGP accused of taking contracts for staged encounters and amassing unparalleled wealth, with even ruling party figures acknowledging his corrupt legacy. Consequently, the ED is advised to proceed with extreme vigilance, as the prevailing environment favors those who conceal truth rather than those who speak it. The convergence of political power, official machinery, and criminal enterprises leaves little room for genuine justice.
