Kolkata, 23 May (H.S.): The Enforcement Directorate has initiated steps to attach the ancestral house of former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas in Kandi, Murshidabad, in connection with the alleged “Sona Pappu” land-grabbing and extortion case.

On Friday, ED officials broke open the lock of the house and conducted a search operation at the property. During raids carried out at multiple locations on the same day, the agency reportedly recovered around two kilograms of gold, cash, mobile phones, and documents related to immovable properties.

According to ED sources, documents related to the Kandi residence were examined and members of the family were also questioned. The agency is now proceeding with the legal process to attach the property.

Shantanu Sinha Biswas had earlier served as the officer-in-charge of Kalighat Police Station and is a resident of Ward No. 8 of Kandi Municipality. Local residents claimed that the family’s ancestral house was once in a dilapidated condition but had been transformed into a luxurious building over the past few years. His sister, Gauri Sinha Biswas, is the vice-chairperson of the Trinamool Congress-run municipality. Following his arrest, the lavish property had become a subject of widespread discussion in the locality.

The ED also carried out raids at several locations in Kolkata on Friday. Searches were conducted at the residence of a Kolkata Police sub-inspector in Kasba and at the house of businessman Atul Kataria in Chakraberia. The agency claimed that both individuals had links with alleged kingpin Biswajit Poddar, alias “Sona Pappu.” Raids were also conducted at a total of nine locations, including Royd Street.

According to the ED, nearly two kilograms of gold worth an estimated Rs 3 crore were seized during the day-long operation. Around Rs 10 lakh in cash was also recovered.

Investigators further stated that several chats and data had allegedly been deleted from the seized mobile phones. Efforts are now underway to retrieve the erased information as part of the ongoing probe.

Notably, businessman Biswajit Poddar, popularly known as “Sona Pappu,” was arrested by the ED a few days ago. He has been accused of forcibly acquiring land and properties at undervalued prices through threats and intimidation. The ED informed the court that an organised three-member syndicate was active in the case.

In connection with the same investigation, businessman Joy Kamdar from Behala has also been arrested. According to the agency, the group operated a powerful land syndicate and evidence of financial transactions involving Shantanu Sinha Biswas has emerged during the investigation.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey