₹160 Crore Frozen, 200+ Property Deeds Found: ED Tightens Noose Around LB Singh in Jharkhand Coal Scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into an alleged coal scam in Jharkhand, issuing summons to five people, including the wife of prominent Dhanbad coal businessman LB Singh, also known as Lal Babu Singh.

Among those summoned are Aarti Singh, wife of LB Singh; Vishw Vijay Singh, her brother; and Ranjit Kumar Singh, her brother-in-law. Two other individuals, Shabbir Alam and Mahendra Singh, reportedly linked to businessman Anil Goyal, have also been summoned for questioning.

The latest action follows a major search operation conducted by the ED in Dhanbad and adjoining areas on July 28, during which the agency reportedly froze mutual fund investments worth around ₹160 crore allegedly linked to LB Singh and seized approximately ₹1.02 crore in unaccounted cash.

Who is LB Singh?

LB Singh, also known as Lal Babu Singh, is a prominent coal businessman and outsourcing contractor based in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. He is associated with Dev Prabha Company, which has undertaken outsourced coal-mining and related operations connected with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).

Singh has emerged as a significant operator in Dhanbad’s outsourced coal-mining sector. His business interests have brought him into the spotlight in connection with investigations concerning alleged irregularities in coal-related activities and financial transactions.

The ED had previously searched premises linked to Singh and his associates in November 2025. At that time, Singh reportedly maintained that he had cooperated with the agency and denied wrongdoing, saying that the investigation related to an earlier coal over-reporting case rather than allegations of coal theft.

The current investigation is broader and involves alleged illegal coal mining, coal theft and transportation, alleged extortion or illegal levy collection and suspected laundering of proceeds generated from such activities.

Five People Summoned by ED

The ED has directed Aarti Singh to appear before its regional office on August 20. Vishw Vijay Singh has been asked to appear on August 14, while Ranjit Kumar Singh has been summoned for August 17.

Shabbir Alam and Mahendra Singh, who are reportedly associated with Anil Goyal, have also been asked to appear before the agency next week.

The summoning of LB Singh’s family members and people associated with the wider business network indicates that investigators are examining the financial and business links surrounding the alleged coal-related proceeds.

₹160 Crore Mutual Fund Investments Frozen

During the July 28 searches, the ED reportedly searched 31 premises linked to LB Singh, Anil Goyal and their associates.

The agency froze mutual fund investments worth approximately ₹160 crore allegedly connected with LB Singh. Around ₹1.02 crore in unaccounted cash was also reportedly recovered during the searches.

Digital devices, financial records and documents relating to various transactions were also seized and are being examined as part of the investigation.

The financial trail is expected to be a major focus of the ED probe, particularly whether funds allegedly generated from illegal coal-related activities were subsequently invested through financial instruments or used to acquire assets.

More Than 200 Property Sale Deeds Recovered

The searches reportedly resulted in the recovery of more than 200 sale deeds and other documents relating to movable and immovable properties.

According to the ED’s line of investigation, the documents and digital evidence are being examined to determine whether alleged proceeds from illegal coal activities were used to purchase properties and make investments.

The agency is also examining whether funds were routed through different financial transactions and entities in an attempt to give allegedly illicit money a legitimate appearance.

Probe Linked to Multiple Coal-Related Cases

The ED investigation is based on multiple FIRs and chargesheets registered by the Jharkhand Police.

The cases reportedly involve allegations of illegal coal mining, theft and transportation of coal, as well as alleged extortion and illegal levy collection in the name of coal loading in the Dhanbad coal belt.

The agency is now examining the financial trail arising from these alleged activities and the manner in which funds may have moved through individuals, businesses, investments and properties.

ED Had Searched Premises in November 2025

The latest action is not the first major ED operation involving LB Singh and people associated with him.

In November 2025, the agency conducted searches at multiple premises linked to Singh in Dhanbad and West Bengal in connection with investigations involving alleged BCCL tender irregularities and coal-related activities.

The July 28 searches and the subsequent summons to family members and associates suggest that the investigation has now moved towards a more detailed examination of the alleged financial and asset trail.

Investigation Still Underway

The ED is currently examining financial records, property documents, digital evidence and alleged transactions to establish the flow of funds and determine whether assets were acquired from suspected proceeds of crime.

However, the freezing of investments, seizure of cash or recovery of property documents does not by itself establish that the assets constitute proceeds of crime. The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and the persons summoned by the ED will have an opportunity to provide their explanations and supporting documents to the agency.

The latest summons could therefore prove significant in determining the next course of the Jharkhand coal scam investigation and the alleged financial network surrounding the Dhanbad coal trade.