Before the Bengal elections, the ED raids a deputy commissioner of the Kolkata Police and a few others in a PMLA investigation.

As part of a money laundering investigation into an alleged criminal and his associated syndicate in the election-bound state, the Enforcement Directorate raided the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and another individual on Sunday, according to sources.

“The raid is being conducted in connection with a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. We have certain questions regarding the police officer’s alleged link with a person from a construction company. At the moment, the police officer is not at home and we are trying to get in touch with him,” the officer told PTI.

Additionally, businessman Joy Kamdar’s home in the Behala neighborhood was raided by ED detectives. They had also raided his home and place of business previously.In accordance with the terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), two of Biswas’s locations—his home in the Ballygunge district and the house of Joy Kamdar, the managing director of Sun Enterprise—have been seized. 

The action is related to a money laundering case against Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu, a suspected local criminal who has been charged with attempted murder and extortion in other incidents. In accordance with the terms of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), two of Biswas’s locations—his home in the Ballygunge district and the house of Joy Kamdar, the managing director of Sun Enterprise—have been seized.

The action is related to a money laundering case against Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu, a suspected local criminal who has been charged with attempted murder and extortion in other incidents.

According to reports, Pappu has multiple FIRs against him for a variety of claims and appears to have influence over the prestigious south Kolkata neighborhoods of Kasba and Ballygunge. He continues to elude the Kolkata police despite being a main suspect in the Golpark gang fight that took place in February.

According to officials, Pappu used to extort construction companies for crores of rupees, which were then transferred to “influential” individuals. On April 1, the first round of searches in this investigation was carried out by the federal investigative agency.

A country-made revolver, gold jewellery, silver worth Rs 67.64 lakh, and cash totaling Rs 1.47 crore were also taken by the ED from a few locations that were searched. The investigation is the result of a formal complaint filed by the Kolkata Police against Pappu for alleged involvement in rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Arms Act.

The ED stated in a statement on April 9 that the accused, including Pappu, were involved in organized criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and obtained money unlawfully through syndicate operations. Pappu has been summoned by the ED, but the agency claims that he has not yet joined the probe.