ED Conducts Searches at Premises Linked to Kolkata Police Officer in Money Laundering Probe

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday conducted raids at three locations linked to a Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner, Shantanu Sinha Biswas, and Sun Enterprise Managing Director Jay S Kamdar, in connection with an ongoing money laundering investigation related to the “Sona Pappu” case.

Officials said the searches were carried out by the ED’s Kolkata unit based on specific intelligence inputs regarding Biswajit Poddar and Jay S Kamdar. Of the three locations raided, two were linked to Biswas and one to Kamdar.

This action comes around 18 days after the ED conducted searches at eight locations across Kolkata on April 1 in connection with the same case. During those earlier raids, officials seized ₹1.47 crore in cash, gold jewelry worth ₹67.64 lakh, silver items, and several incriminating documents and digital devices.

The ED stated that multiple immovable properties, including land and buildings suspected to have been acquired through illegal means, have been identified. A Toyota Fortuner allegedly used by Sona Pappu was also seized. Additionally, a “Made in USA” revolver was recovered from his residence on Fern Road in Kolkata and handed over to the West Bengal Police to support free and fair elections for the 2026 Assembly polls.

According to the agency, the investigation was initiated based on multiple FIRs registered by the West Bengal Police under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act, 1959, involving charges such as rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and violations of arms regulations.

The ED has alleged that Sona Pappu and his associates were involved in organized criminal syndicate activities in West Bengal, generating large amounts of illegal income through extortion, illegal occupation of real estate, and unauthorized construction via companies under their control.

Sona Pappu is also wanted in connection with a violence case near Golpark’s Kankulia Road in Kolkata and is currently absconding. The ED has issued summons to him, but he has not yet joined the investigation. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the probe has so far revealed that the proceeds of crime were generated through unlawful activities carried out by him and his associates.