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(iii) Despite registering multiple FIRS related to illegal mining in Sahebganj and adjoining regions, such unlawful practices still persist. Investigations have unveiled extensive illegal mining activities in Sahebganj, Jharkhand, as well as the illicit transportation of illegally mined minerals via roads, railways, and inland vessels. Illegitimate quarrying, often involving explosives, occurs at unlicensed mining sites. These activities are substantiated by various FIRs registered under Sections 411 and 414 of the IPC, along with Sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. These offences are also categorized as scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Evidently, scheduled offences have been committed, and the proceeds from illegal mining are being laundered. The derived proceeds from these Illicit activities are controlled by the accused parties, particularly Pankaj Mishra and his associates, directly or indirectly. To comprehend the broader context, this office merged the FIRs mentioned in Paragraph 3.8 of PC dated 16.09.2022 with the existing ECIR related to illegal mining. Further, the issue of illegal mining & environmental damage is also being investigated considering the observation of the NGT and various FIRs registered related to the issue of illegal mining.

1.3 Prosecution Complaint dated 16.09.2022 and Supplementary Prosecution Complaint dated 19.06.2023 in this matter have been filed before this Hon'ble Special Court, PMLA, Ranchi. During the course of the investigation, the following FIRs related to the issue of illegal mining in Sahebganj and its vicinity were merged in order to unearth the larger picture and for carrying out a comprehensive investigation.

1.5 Further, as per the report submitted to Hon'ble NGT it is specifically mentioned that 125 FIR(s) were lodged against various persons for the offence of illegal mining, storage and transportation. This Directorate also identified some of the FIRS lodged in the matter of Illegal mining and transportation activities during the above-stated period out of which 50 FIR(s) were mentioned in Paragraph No. 3.4 of the Prosecution Complaint dated 16.09.2022 (RUD No. 41.) and is not repeated again for brevity. The contents of the supplementary prosecution complaint are in addition to the earlier Prosecution Complaint dated 16.09.2022 and me earller relied upon documents mentioned to be read in supplement to the facts of the present investigation.

1.6 There are several other FIRS lodged in the matter of the Illegal mining in Sahebganj and Its adjoining areas but such illegal activities have not stopped. The investigation has revealed about huge illegal mining activities in Sahebganj, Jharkhand along with the transportation of such stolen minerals through roads, railways, and Page | 9 [2025:JHHC:37262] inland vessels. A huge quantity of explosives is being used to break rocks/stones illegally into unleased mining sites. The above activities are also evident and corroborated by several FIRs lodged for offences under sections 411, 414 along with various other sections of IPC, as well as for offences under sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908 and Section 8 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 into the matter of illegal mining which are also scheduled offences under PMLA, To unearth the larger picture and for carrying out a comprehensive investigation, the above-discussed FIRs were merged into the existing investigation. Further, the issue of illegal mining & environmental damage is also being investigated considering the observation of the Hon'ble NGT and various FIR(s) registered related to the issue of illegal mining.

3.3 Despite registering multiple FIRS related to illegal minling Sahebganj and adjoining regions, such unlawful practices stili persist. Investigations have unveiled extensive illegal mining activities in Sahebganj, Jharkhand, as well as the illicit transportation of illegally mined minerals via roads, railways, and inland vessels. Illegitimate quarrying, often involving explosives, occurs at unlicensed mining sites. These activities are substantiated by various FIRs registered under sections 411 and 414 of the IPC, along with sections 3, 4, and 5 of the Explosive Substances Act, 1908. These offences are also categorized as scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Evidently, scheduled offences have been committed, and the proceeds from illega mining are being laundered. The derived proceeds from these illicit activities are controlled by the accused parties, particularly Pankaj Mishra and his associates, directly or indirectly. To comprehend the broader context, this office merged the FIRS mentioned in Paragraph 3.8 of PC dated 16.09.2022 with the existing ECIR related to illegal mining. Further, the issue of illegal mining & environmental damage is also being investigated considering the observation of the Hon'ble NGT and various FIRS registered related to the issue of illegal mining.