Kolkata, 22 May (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday morning carried out coordinated raids across multiple locations in Kolkata in connection with the “Sona Pappu” case involving allegations of land grabbing, illegal transactions, and intimidation.

Search operations were conducted at at least three locations, including Park Street, Chakraberia and Kasba. Central forces accompanied ED officials during the raids.

According to sources, the agency unearthed key inputs related to alleged illegal financial transactions and land dealings during the interrogation of businessman Bishwajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu, which led to the fresh action.

At Park Street, ED officials searched a café-cum-hotel establishment and examined documents to ascertain whether it had any links with the alleged illicit transactions.

In Chakraberia, the agency also carried out searches at a residential complex after indications emerged of close connections between a businessman and Sona Pappu, sources said.

Meanwhile, in Kasba area, ED raided the residence of a Kolkata Police sub-inspector. Officials claimed that the officer had links with former Kolkata Police DCP Shantanu Sinha Biswas, who has already been arrested in the case.

Investigators are probing a suspected land syndicate involving Sona Pappu, real estate operator Jay Kamdar, and former police officer Shantanu Sinha Biswas.

Sona Pappu was arrested earlier on charges of land grabbing, intimidation, and forging documents to seize properties. He was produced before a special ED court earlier this week, which remanded him to ED custody till May 28.

The ED said it is continuing interrogation and further action will depend on emerging evidence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey