West Bengal Coal Scam Case: Supreme Court Seeks Anup Majee's Reply In ED Plea Against Anticipatory Bail

The Supreme Court on Monday sought a reply from Anup Majee, an alleged key accused in the West Bengal coal smuggling-linked money laundering case, on a plea filed by the Directorate of Enforcement challenging a Delhi High Court order granting him anticipatory bail.

The Delhi High Court had, on June 13, 2025, held that the “twin conditions” under Section 45 of the PMLA were satisfied. It noted that the investigation had continued for nearly five years without any attempt to arrest Majee, despite his appearance before the agency on multiple occasions.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta directed the filing of a reply affidavit within eight weeks. The ED has been granted four weeks thereafter to file its rejoinder affidavit.

The matter has been listed for hearing in September 2026.

The case arises from an ECIR registered by the ED on November 28, 2020, following a CBI FIR alleging large-scale illegal excavation and pilferage of coal from leasehold areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited in alleged connivance with public officials and private persons.

According to the ED, Majee was one of the principal organizers of the alleged illegal mining and transportation syndicate. The agency alleges he generated proceeds of crime through illegal coal excavation.

Granting anticipatory bail, the Delhi High Court observed that Majee had appeared before the ED multiple times and responded to summons. It also noted that he had not misused earlier protections granted by courts in connected proceedings.

The High Court further noted that the prosecution complaint and supplementary prosecution complaint had already been filed. It said that despite the long-running investigation, the ED had not taken steps to arrest Majee earlier.