Overview
- Investigators issued the Look Out Circular on Tuesday and circulated it to airports, rail stations, and land borders to prevent Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas from traveling abroad.
- The ED says Biswas ignored at least five summons for questioning, and in a related sand-smuggling inquiry he sent a lawyer once instead of appearing.
- Raids on April 19 at his Fern Road residence and nearby properties recovered documents and electronic devices, and officials said he was not present during the searches.
- The probe targets an alleged extortion and land-grab syndicate led by Biswajit Poddar, known as Sona Pappu, and ED sources say bank checks turned up transactions involving the officer.
- The case traces back to a Kolkata Police FIR alleging rioting and Arms Act offenses, and the ED has already arrested businessman Joy Kamdar and seized over ₹1 crore in cash.