ED Summons Close Aides of Arrested Former Kolkata Police DC in Syndicate Case

Kolkata, June 24: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned three police officers closely associated with former Kolkata Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas, who was arrested in connection with a criminal syndicate case.

A senior official from the central investigative agency reported on Wednesday that among those summoned is a sub-inspector stationed at a police station in South Kolkata.

Additionally, the ED has also called in family members of the arrested syndicate operator, Biswajit Poddar, also known as Sona Pappu, for questioning. Several family members, including his wife, Soma Poddar, have been instructed to appear at the ED office this week.

Sona Pappu, a resident of Ballygunge in South Kolkata, faces serious allegations, including land grabbing, extortion, and illegal possession of firearms. A case has also been filed against him under the Arms Act.

The ED initiated its investigation based on these allegations. During the inquiry, the name of businessman Joy Kamdar emerged, leading to his arrest in the same case.

As part of the investigation, the ED conducted a raid at Shantanu Sinha Biswas’s residence on Fern Road in South Kolkata. The day after the search, the agency summoned Shantanu and his two sons, Sayantan and Manish, to its office in Salt Lake for questioning, but they did not show up.

In April, the ED had also summoned Shantanu for questioning related to a sand smuggling case, but he ignored the summons. Subsequently, a lookout circular was issued against him.

After repeatedly evading summons, Shantanu finally appeared at the ED office, where he was arrested following extensive questioning. By that time, Sona Pappu had already gone into hiding.

Last month, Sona Pappu unexpectedly arrived at the ED office in the CGO Complex with his wife. After a lengthy interrogation, he was also arrested.

Currently, Shantanu Sinha Biswas, Sona Pappu, and Joy Kamdar are all in judicial custody. The ED aims to conduct a thorough investigation into the financial and criminal aspects of the case by questioning Sona Pappu’s wife and other family members.