Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday carried out raids at multiple locations linked to a senior Kolkata Police officer and a businessman as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), officials said.
According to officials, the searches were conducted at the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas in the Ballygunge area, along with premises connected to businessman Joy Kamdar, who is associated with a private firm. ED teams also searched additional locations linked to the same probe.
The action is part of a broader investigation into an alleged criminal network involving financial irregularities, extortion, and suspected money laundering activities. The case is reportedly linked to a local criminal identified as Biswajit Podder, also known as “Sona Pappu,” who is facing multiple criminal charges including attempt to murder and extortion.
Officials said the ED is examining alleged financial transactions and suspected links between the accused network and certain individuals in business and public service roles. The raids were carried out with central security support, and documents, digital devices, and financial records are being scrutinised.
Sources said that the investigation also explores whether proceeds of crime were laundered through shell companies and real estate-related transactions. However, no official statement has yet been made regarding any arrests in connection with Sunday’s searches.
The development comes at a politically sensitive time in West Bengal, with increased enforcement and vigilance ahead of the Assembly elections. Similar ED operations in recent weeks have targeted multiple locations across the state as part of parallel financial crime investigations.
The Kolkata Police officer named in the searches has not yet issued any public statement. ED officials are expected to continue questioning individuals linked to the case in the coming days.
The agency has intensified its probe into several suspected money laundering networks operating in the region, focusing on illegal financial flows, property transactions, and alleged protection networks linked to organised crime.
Further details are awaited as the investigation continues.
