Jharkhand’s Leader of Opposition, Babulal Marandi, has sharply criticized the state government, alleging a deliberate strategy to fabricate new criminal cases as a means to cover up deeper issues. Marandi asserted that this tactic of manufacturing crimes to obscure reality has become an ingrained habit within Jharkhand’s governance and its enforcement mechanisms. Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the coal syndicate’s operations in Dhanbad have reportedly unearthed significant, troubling details. An alarming aspect of this situation is the purported order from influential police officers, allegedly benefiting from the coal trade’s black money, to eliminate ground-level operatives associated with the coal mafia. The objective behind these alleged elimination orders is to prevent individuals under ED scrutiny from revealing incriminating evidence. Marandi drew parallels to past incidents in the state where ‘evidence suppression’ occurred under the guise of encounters, suggesting a recurring pattern. He cautioned the ED to remain highly vigilant, highlighting that in Jharkhand, the prevailing power often lies with those who bury the truth. The convergence of political power, administrative systems, and organized crime, he warned, makes the perversion of justice a mere formality.
