The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday carried out searches at the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner and a city-based businessman as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation linked to an alleged extortion syndicate.

Officials reached the Ballygunge residence of Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas around 6 am and began searches and questioning. Two premises linked to Biswas, including his Fern Road flat, are being searched. Simultaneously, the agency conducted raids at a property associated with businessman Jay Kamdar, Managing Director of Sun Enterprise, in Behala.

The action is tied to the alleged operations of Biswajit Podder, also known as "Sona Pappu", a suspected criminal accused in multiple cases of attempted murder and extortion. Officials suspect that funds generated through the syndicate's activities were routed through various channels, with a portion allegedly reaching individuals linked to the case.

Kamdar has been taken to the ED office for questioning, while Biswas was not present at one of the raided locations at the time of the searches, officials said.

This is not the first time Biswas has come under the central probe agency's scrutiny. He has previously been summoned by the ED's Delhi office in connection with an illegal coal mining case but did not appear.

The senior Kolkata Police official is also under the scanner in multiple ongoing probes, including cases linked to coal smuggling, the Sona Pappu network, and an alleged irregularities case involving admissions under the NRI quota in private medical colleges, including KPC Medical College.

The current probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against Podder, who has been booked for rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and violations under the Arms Act. According to the ED, Podder and his associates operated an organised criminal syndicate that generated proceeds of crime through extortion and other illegal activities.

The agency had conducted its first round of searches in the case on April 1, during which it seized Rs 1.47 crore in cash, along with gold and silver valuables worth over Rs 67 lakh, and a country-made revolver.

Podder is also wanted in connection with a violent incident near Golpark in south Kolkata and is currently absconding. Despite the summons issued by the ED, he has not joined the investigation so far.

The fresh raids come days ahead of West Bengal's two-phase polling scheduled for April 23 and April 29.

- Ends

Published By:

Sahil Sinha

Published On:

Apr 19, 2026 17:11 IST

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