ED Launches Investigation Against Former Kolkata DCP for Alleged Corruption in Transfers and Postings

Kolkata, July 15: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated an investigation against former Deputy Commissioner of Police Shantanu Sinha Biswas for allegedly profiting from fixing transfers and postings within the Kolkata Police.

This inquiry is separate from an ongoing investigation into his involvement in a multi-crore land grab case. The central agency has filed a supplementary chargesheet against him in a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Kolkata.

According to sources, the investigation began after the ED received complaints. Allegations suggest that Shantanu Sinha Biswas influenced the transfers and postings of sub-inspectors, inspectors, and even assistant commissioners.

The ED is examining the case from two angles. First, it seeks to determine whether Shantanu aimed to consolidate control over land grabbing and real estate syndicates by securing preferred postings for his close associates. Second, the agency is investigating how much commission he earned by facilitating advantageous postings for his junior officers.

Sources within the central agency indicate that, in addition to allegations of financial corruption, the misuse of administrative power is also a key issue in this case. ED officials have already collected various documents, bank transaction details, digital evidence, and statements, and they are analyzing this information to understand the entire network’s operations.

Last week, a supplementary chargesheet was filed against Shantanu Sinha Biswas, land mafia Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu, and real estate promoter Jai Kamdar for illegal land grabbing. The ED claims that the main accusation against Shantanu is that he misused his authority, being a close associate of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, to pressure genuine property owners into selling their land at significantly undervalued prices for real estate development.

Preliminary investigations by the ED suggest that Shantanu Sinha Biswas personally gained approximately ₹3 crore from these illegal land grabs. Sources have indicated that the supplementary chargesheet also alleges that Sona Pappu, Jai Kamdar, and Sinha Biswas conspired together to execute these land grabs.