A serious charge has been leveled against the Jharkhand administration, alleging that it is fabricating new criminal activities to conceal existing corruption, particularly within the coal mafia. Babu Lal Marandi, the BJP’s state president and Leader of the Opposition, stated that the government and its associated systems have resorted to manufacturing crimes as a cover-up strategy. Recent ED operations in Dhanbad’s coal sector have uncovered deeply concerning evidence. The most alarming aspect is the alleged ‘kill order’ issued by certain high-ranking police officials, who are reportedly profiting from the illegal coal trade, against specific foot soldiers of the coal mafia. This ruthless action is reportedly aimed at preventing these operatives from divulging critical information during ED interrogations. Claims suggest that individuals currently under ED scrutiny are now facing plots for their assassination to maintain the secrecy of the operations. The state has a history of witnessing ‘evidence encounters,’ where criminals are eliminated to prevent the truth from surfacing. The legacy of a former DGP, accused of orchestrating contract killings and setting new benchmarks for corruption, even by members of the ruling coalition, looms large. The ED must exercise maximum diligence, as the system here is designed to protect those who suppress facts, not those who reveal them. When political power, institutional frameworks, and criminal enterprises become intertwined, the denial of justice becomes a predictable consequence.
