Jharkhand’s opposition leader, Babulal Marandi, has publicly accused the state government of fabricating new criminal incidents to obscure the reality of existing crimes. Marandi, also the BJP State President, believes this practice has become routine for the government and its supporting infrastructure. Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into Dhanbad’s extensive coal mafia operations have revealed alarming evidence. A particularly grave concern is the alleged directive from certain ‘high-ranking police officials,’ who are profiting from illicit coal dealings, to their operatives. These operatives are reportedly being ordered to ‘permanently silence’ individuals who are cooperating with the ED. The intention is clear: to prevent witnesses from revealing the truth during interrogations. Marandi drew parallels to past incidents in Jharkhand where ‘evidence encounters’ were staged to eliminate potential testimony. He recalled a notorious former DGP accused of running a contract killing ring and being the most corrupt police chief the state has ever known, facing criticism even from within the ruling party. He cautioned the ED to proceed with utmost care, emphasizing that in Jharkhand, power lies with those who conceal the truth, not those who expose it. He warned that when the government, the system, and organized crime become intertwined, the perversion of justice is a foregone conclusion.
