ED intensifies searches in Bihar illegal sand mining case, seizes ₹29.2 million in cash

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ED Bihar sand raid

Highlights

ED seized ₹29.2 million in cash and documents during searches at 12 locations in connection with the illegal sand mining case linked to M/s Mahadev Enclave Pvt Ltd.
IIT Patna's geospatial analysis revealed that the estimated value of illegal sand mining from 2015-16 to 2022-23 exceeds ₹1.31 billion.
The Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Bihar, registered FIR number 365/2025 on August 21, 2025; the investigation is ongoing.

This article was translated from the original. Read the original version by our correspondent here.

Scope of Search Operation and Seizure

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the Patna Zonal Office conducted searches at 12 locations in Sriganganagar, Jaipur, Delhi, Gurgaon, Patna, and Banka under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. This action was taken in connection with the alleged illegal sand mining case linked to M/s Mahadev Enclave Pvt Ltd, Banka, Bihar.

The agency states that this entity is controlled by the Chandak family of Sriganganagar, Rajasthan, led by Ashok Chandak and his son Raghav Chandak. During the searches, ₹29.2 million in cash, documents related to sale deeds, bank account details, cheques, loan agreements, investment details, and digital evidence were recovered and seized.

The ED initiated this investigation based on FIRs registered in Banka, in which M/s Mahadev Enclave Pvt Ltd and its director Manoj Pachisia are accused of large-scale illegal mining under various sections of the IPC 1860. According to the agency, this activity was not reported or flagged by the state mining department.

IIT Analysis and Revenue Impact

During the investigation, ED Patna requested IIT Patna via letter dated October 1, 2024, to conduct a geospatial analysis of the sand ghats in the rivers of Banka district, Bihar. Analysis of IIT Patna's report revealed that the company carried out large-scale illegal sand excavation, with the estimated value of illegally extracted sand exceeding ₹1.31 billion during FY 2015-16 to 2022-23.

This information was subsequently shared with the Managing Director of Bihar State Mining Corporation Limited, Patna, under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. In response, the Department of Mines and Geology, Government of Bihar, registered FIR number 365/2025 on August 21, 2025, and the investigation is ongoing.

The agency has stated that further investigation in the case is in progress.

In our previous report, we discussed the ED's multi-state search operation under a money laundering probe into an alleged network linked to terror funding and illegal infiltration. That operation resulted in the seizure of cash, gold, documents, and digital devices from several premises, along with indications of foreign funding via FCRA, layered transactions, and the alleged use of mule bank accounts.

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