CBI Raids MCL Operations in Sundargarh Over Alleged Coal Diversion
Sundargarh, Odisha – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a major probe into alleged large-scale coal diversion at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) operations in Sundargarh district.
According to sources, nearly 75,000 tonnes of coal dispatched from the Garjanbahal mine to the Kanika railway siding went unaccounted for, raising suspicions of systematic diversion.
Acting on these allegations, three CBI teams from Delhi carried out simultaneous raids at the Garjanbahal coal mine and Kanika railway siding.
Investigators examined dispatch records, invoices, and movement registers to identify discrepancies in coal transportation.
CP Sethi, currently in charge of the Kanika railway siding and formerly in charge of the Garjanbahal mine, was taken for questioning.
Officials suspect the diversion may have occurred during his earlier tenure.
The CBI is expected to take further action once accountability is established and the scale of diversion is confirmed. The raids have sparked concern over transparency in coal dispatch operations, with industry observers calling for stricter monitoring mechanisms.
