Kolkata, 15 July (H.S.) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a fresh money laundering investigation against former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas over allegations that he amassed illegal earnings by influencing the transfer and posting of police officers junior to him.

The new investigation is in addition to the agency's ongoing probe into an alleged multi-crore land-grabbing racket, in which the ED recently filed a supplementary chargesheet before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata.

According to sources familiar with the investigation, the ED initiated the fresh probe after receiving specific complaints that Sinha Biswas allegedly manipulated the transfers and postings of sub-inspectors, inspectors and even assistant commissioner-rank officers.

Investigators are examining the allegations from two key angles. The first is whether Sinha Biswas strategically secured the posting of trusted officers to key police stations and sensitive assignments to strengthen his control over an alleged land-grabbing and real estate syndicate. The second is to determine the amount of illegal commission he may have earned by facilitating such lucrative postings.

ED officials are also probing whether the alleged transfer-posting network involved abuse of official authority in addition to financial irregularities.

Sources said the agency has collected several documents, bank transaction records, digital evidence and witness statements as part of the investigation. Officials are analysing the material to establish the functioning and financial trail of the alleged network.

Last week, the ED filed a supplementary chargesheet against Sinha Biswas, alleged land mafia operator Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu, and real estate promoter Jay Kamdar in connection with the alleged illegal land-grabbing case.

According to the ED, Sinha Biswas misused his position as a former Deputy Commissioner of Kolkata Police and allegedly used his influence to pressure landowners into selling their properties at throwaway prices for real estate development.

The agency's preliminary findings indicate that Sinha Biswas allegedly received financial gains of around ₹3 crore from the land-grabbing operation.

The supplementary chargesheet also alleges that Sinha Biswas, Sona Pappu and Jay Kamdar acted in concert to identify, acquire and seize valuable land parcels through a criminal conspiracy.

The ED's investigation into both the alleged land-grabbing syndicate and the suspected transfer-posting racket is continuing, with officials expected to further examine the financial transactions and administrative decisions linked to the case.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh