ED raids Kolkata police officer, others in money laundering probe linked to criminal syndicate

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted raids at the premises of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and on another person as part of a money laundering probe against an alleged criminal and his linked syndicate in the poll-bound state, officials said.

Two premises of Biswas, including his residence in Ballygunge area and one location of a man named Joy Kamdar, Managing Director of a company named Sun Enterprise, have been raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The action is linked to a money laundering case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.

Also Read: Rs 200 crores money laundering case: Court issues notice to ED on Jacqueline Fernandes's plea to turn approver

The federal probe agency had conducted the first round of searches in this case on April 1.

The ED had then seized cash of Rs 1.47 crore apart from gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh and a country-made revolver from some premises that were searched.

The probe stems from a Kolkata Police FIR against against Podder for his alleged involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations.

The accused, including Podder, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated funds illegally by way of syndicate operations, the ED said in a statement on April 9.

Also Read: Delhi court summons Robert Vadra in Shikohpur land deal money laundering case

Podder is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia road near Golpark of Kolkata and is currently on the run. The ED has issued summons to Pidder but he has failed to join the investigation so far, according to the agency.