Enforcement Directorate Raids Kolkata Police Officer and Businessman in Money Laundering Probe Linked to Alleged Criminal Syndicate

The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday carried out searches at properties linked to Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and local businessman Joy Kamdar as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation involving an alleged criminal network operating in poll-bound West Bengal, according to officials. The action marks a significant development in the federal agency’s probe into the activities of an alleged organised syndicate accused of generating illicit proceeds through criminal operations in the state.

Officials said two premises associated with Biswas, including his residence in Kolkata’s Ballygunge area, were searched under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Investigators also raided a premises connected to Kamdar, who serves as Managing Director of Sun Enterprise. During the operation, Kamdar was taken by officials to the local Enforcement Directorate office for questioning as part of the investigation. Authorities said Biswas, who serves as chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was not present at his premises during the searches.

The raids are tied to a money laundering case centered on alleged local criminal Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu, who faces multiple criminal cases involving charges including attempted murder and extortion. According to officials, the Enforcement Directorate’s latest action builds on earlier investigative steps taken in the same case, including an initial round of searches conducted on April 1.

During those earlier searches, the agency seized cash amounting to ₹1.47 crore, along with gold jewellery and silver valued at ₹67.64 lakh, as well as a country-made revolver recovered from premises searched during the operation. The seizures formed part of the agency’s efforts to trace assets allegedly linked to proceeds of crime generated through the activities of the alleged syndicate.

The money laundering probe originates from a Kolkata Police first information report filed against Podder concerning his alleged involvement in rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and violations under the Arms Act. The Enforcement Directorate has stated that the accused, including Podder, were involved in organised criminal syndicate activities in West Bengal and generated illegal funds through those operations. “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 agency said in a statement issued on April 9.

Podder is also wanted by police in connection with a separate case involving violence on Kankulia Road near Golpark in Kolkata and is currently absconding. Officials said the Enforcement Directorate has issued summons to Podder, but he has so far failed to appear before investigators or join the investigation, adding to concerns surrounding the scope and reach of the alleged criminal network under scrutiny.

The latest enforcement action comes as West Bengal prepares for a two-phase election scheduled for April 23 and April 29, placing additional attention on the timing and significance of the raids in the politically sensitive state. As the investigation continues, authorities appear focused on tracing the full extent of alleged financial flows linked to the syndicate and examining possible connections involving individuals and entities now brought under the scope of the money laundering probe.

By fLEXI tEAM