Jharkhand’s opposition leader, Babulal Marandi, has accused the state government of a disturbing new strategy: fabricating crimes to cover up existing ones, particularly concerning the influential coal mafia. Marandi highlighted that the recent Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation into Dhanbad’s coal empire has revealed shocking details. The most alarming aspect, according to Marandi, is the alleged directive from ‘top police officers,’ whose wealth is reportedly tied to the coal trade, to eliminate their own foot soldiers permanently. This move is seen as a desperate attempt to prevent the ED’s investigation from uncovering the full extent of the illegal operations. There are strong indications that individuals cooperating with the ED are now facing assassination plots to ensure they cannot testify. This mirrors past incidents where ‘encounter killings’ were allegedly used to eliminate evidence and witnesses. Marandi recalled a past DGP facing severe accusations of taking contracts for staged encounters and unparalleled corruption, even from ruling party members. He cautioned the ED to be vigilant, emphasizing that in Jharkhand, power lies with those who bury the truth. When politics, bureaucracy, and organized crime converge, the suppression of justice becomes a predictable outcome.
