Major coal adulteration racket busted in Rajasthan, 1 arrested
The operation came to light following a raid at a factory located in Sirohi district, where the illicit activities were being conducted in collusion with truck drivers and Gujarat-based traders.
Additional Director General (Crime) Dinesh MN said the police team discovered that workers at the factory were mixing low-grade coal dust, typically used in thermal power plants, with high-quality imported coal. This adulteration allowed the gang to divert and steal the premium coal, which was then sold to various factories in Gujarat, Rajasthan and beyond.
A man identified as Irfan, 32, from the Patan area of Gujarat, was arrested on site, police said. Several trucks and equipment used in the operation were also seized during the raid, which took place along NH-27's Pindwara-Abu Road section near Bhujela.
ADG Dinesh said the premium coal, valued at approximately Rs 22,000 per tonne, was imported through a Gujarat port for use by steel manufacturers and thermal plants across the country.
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The investigation revealed that certain traders from Gujarat had rented the factory, which is situated about a kilometer from the national highway.
Truck drivers transporting the premium coal were allegedly offered between Rs 3,000 to Rs 7,000 per tonne to divert their cargo to the facility. Once at the factory, the high-grade coal was stolen and replaced with the cheaper coal powder, allowing the trucks to continue their journey without arousing suspicion, police said.
As per the police, the gang extracted between 15 to 20 tonnes of coal daily, raking in revenues of Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh. "Gang members sold the altered coal to smaller industrial units at a significantly reduced price of Rs 16,000 per tonne, while the same coal could fetch Rs 22,000 in the open market," said an official.
"Once the premium coal was removed, workers quickly mixed in cheaper coal powder of similar appearance, ensuring the weight matched the original shipment," the officer stated.
"This operation allowed them to siphon off substantial quantities of high-grade coal without detection."
The Rajasthan police have expanded their investigation in the matter, conducting raids in neighbouring states to apprehend additional suspects linked to the operation. The role of several traders based in Gujarat is currently under scrutiny as the authorities work to dismantle the entire network involved in this illegal coal adulteration scheme.
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