New Delhi, Nov 10 (UNI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced on Monday that its Kolkata Zonal Office has arrested Arun Saraf, a promoter of G D Mining Private Limited, in connection with an illegal sand mining case.
Saraf was arrested on November 6 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is currently in ED custody until November 14.
The ED initiated its PMLA investigation based on multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the West Bengal Police.
These FIRs pertained to the theft and illegal sale of sand, which was transported using forged road e-challans issued by G D Mining Pvt. Ltd.
In one instance, police near Bhasra Bridge seized two sand-laden trucks that were transporting stolen sand using these fake e-challans.
The ED’s investigation revealed that Arun Saraf, the primary decision-maker for the company, played a pivotal role in orchestrating the large-scale scam, earning substantial illegal income from it.
Earlier in the case, on September 8, 2025, the ED conducted searches at 16 premises in Kolkata and Jhargram. These operations led to the seizure of Rs. 29 lakh from the premises of G D Mining Pvt. Ltd., along with incriminating documents and digital evidence.
Details of various movable and immovable properties belonging to the searched entities were also gathered.
The investigation found that forged or invalid challans were used to illegally transport stolen sand from rivers and stock points. The accused individuals and entities moved the stolen sand from stock points linked to allotted or auctioned mines. The illegal cash generated through these activities was then integrated into regular books of account through unexplained cash deposits.
By employing these fraudulent methods, the accused engaged in large-scale theft, illegal transportation, and sale of sand, leading to their undue enrichment. The ED has revealed that this modus operandi is being used extensively. The role of other individuals, as well as tracing the further layering and placement of the proceeds of crime, remains under investigation.
Further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
