Overview
- The Enforcement Directorate carried out coordinated searches at nine locations across Kolkata and Murshidabad on Friday as part of an investigation into an alleged land‑grabbing, extortion and money‑laundering syndicate.
- Both former Kolkata DCP Santanu/Shantanu Sinha Biswas and alleged strongman Biswajit Poddar (alias Sona Pappu) are in ED custody following arrests earlier this month and are being questioned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
- Investigators recovered about two kilograms of gold, significant cash sums and property documents during the latest raids and are analysing digital devices and records to trace illicit financial flows.
- The ED has initiated formal steps to attach Biswas's palatial residence in Kandi, Murshidabad, and is widening enquiries to named associates including businessmen, a hotel operator and a serving police sub‑inspector.
- The probe builds on earlier April seizures that included roughly Rs 1.47 crore in cash, gold and a revolver; the agency is using asset‑attachment powers under the PMLA to recover alleged proceeds and will pursue further searches and custodial interrogations.