The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at eight locations across Hyderabad, Jaipur and Coimbatore in connection with an alleged illegal sand mining case and seized ₹1.53 crore in cash along with foreign currency, silver bullion and several incriminating documents.
According to the ED, the searches were carried out on May 26 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the premises of three firms GCKC Projects and Works Pvt Ltd, Prathima Infrastructure Ltd and Turnkey Enterprises Pvt Ltd as well as residences linked to key accused persons. The raids are part of an ongoing investigation into alleged large-scale irregularities in sand mining operations in Andhra Pradesh.
The probe stems from an FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s Central Investigation Unit in Vijayawada against former Mines Director V.G. Venkata Reddy and the three companies over alleged violations related to mining permissions, tenders and agreements. Investigators claim the firms were involved in illegal excavation of sand beyond approved limits and from areas not covered under mining permissions.
During the searches, ED officials recovered ₹1.53 crore in Indian currency, 1,800 US dollars, silver bullion valued at around ₹1.29 crore, digital devices and documents related to movable and immovable properties allegedly linked to the accused and their family members. The agency said the seized material could help trace the proceeds of crime and establish the financial trail connected to the alleged mining operations.
The ED stated that its investigation found evidence of two major forms of illegal excavation. These allegedly included mining sand beyond the permitted depth and extracting sand from stretches outside the approved mining zones. Authorities claim repeated notices had earlier been issued by the Mines Department regarding these violations.
Officials also said that demand notices worth nearly ₹2,407 crore had been raised against the firms by the state mining department for alleged illegal excavations and related violations. The agency is now examining financial transactions, property records and other evidence collected during the raids.
The case has drawn significant attention because of the scale of the alleged mining irregularities and the involvement of major infrastructure companies. The ED has said further investigation is underway and additional action may follow based on the evidence recovered during the searches.
