Written by Tanusree BoseJanuary 4, 2026 08:11 AM IST 2 min readThe ED has chargesheeted 14 companies and four individuals, including businessman Arun Saraf, in a West Bengal illegal sand mining case involving alleged smuggling worth Rs 145 crore. (Representative image)In its chargesheet in the illegal sand mining case in West Bengal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has named 14 companies and four persons, including businessman Arun Saraf and his three employees, sources said.According to ED officials, preliminary findings suggest that nearly Rs 145 crore of illegal smuggling of sand had taken place, in which Saraf’s company, GD Mining, was allegedly involved.Last September, the ED conducted raids in Jhargram and Behala in Kolkata. It was followed by the arrest of Saraf in the first week of November. As late as December, the ED conducted raids in 12 places, across West Bengal, including Park Street, New Alipore, Amherst Street in Kolkata.ED sources said that nearly 4,700 pages of documents have been submitted along with the chargesheet.According to ED sources, Saraf, who was arrested on November 6, is accused of laundering Rs 78 crore made from illegal sand mining.The central probe agency alleged that Saraf has committed “every possible form of fraud”. He allegedly earned huge profits by mining and selling sand by flouting all the rules and regulations of the West Bengal Sand (Mining, Transport, Storage and Sale) Development Corporation Limited (WBMDTCL).The ED has alleged that there are irregularities in the bank accounts of Saraf’s company.“During the 2024–25 financial year, Rs 130 crore was deposited into the company’s bank account, while Rs 103 crore was deposited from sand sales alone,” an ED official said.In the chargesheet, the ED has also detailed how sand was illegally smuggled.Story continues below this adAccording to the agency, trucks authorised for sand extraction were required to provide their vehicle numbers. It is alleged that the same registration number was used on multiple trucks to transport sand, which, in many cases, went unnoticed by the administration.Also Read | ED raids 22 locations in West Bengal as part of probe into illegal sand mining networkAlso, permission slips for sand extraction carried QR codes, which were allegedly forged.The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Monday.Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:Kolkata