ED Issues Lookout Notice Against Kolkata DCP in Money Laundering Case
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Kolkata deputy police commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas, in connection with a money laundering case, following his failure to appear before the agency despite multiple summonses.
“He was served notices to appear before the agency on five occasions, but he did not turn up even once. Given his continued non-cooperation, we suspect he may try to evade the probe by going abroad,” the officer told PTI.
Consequently, a lookout notice has been circulated across airports, railway stations and other transit ports in an attempt to prevent Biswas from absconding India.
The investigation relates to an alleged criminal syndicate linked to Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu, a history-sheeter who is booked in extortion and land grabbing cases. Biswas' name first surfaced when the ED was investigating a coal scam case. While inspecting Pappu's bank transactions, the officials found several connections to and transactions involving the police officer.
The central agency alleges that Biswas repeatedly failed to comply with ED orders over the course of the probe.
On April 19, ED officials had carried out a raid at Biswas' Fern Road Residence in Ballygunge and a nearby building where he owns five flats, along with the house of Joy Kamdar, the managing director for Supreme Credit Corporation Ltd, which allegedly provided Rs 1.5 crore to Pappu’s firm SP Construction. The Indian Express reported that Pappu’s wife Soma Sonar Podder owns a firm called Heaven Valley which also allegedly engaged in suspicious transactions with Kamdar’s company.
In late April ED arrested Kamdar after he did not appear for questioning in connection with a land grabbing and money laundering case after being summoned twice. The agency also sized Rs 1.2 crore in cash from his residence. The premises were raided under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The money laundering investigation was initiated after a First Information Report (FIR) was filed against Pappu for alleged involvement in rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy and violation of the Arms Act. He is also accused of violence at Kankulia road and is claimed to be absconding. As per report, Pappu is allegedly associated with influential political leaders and has been photographed with TMC members as well.
A day after the searches Biswas' sons, Sayantan and Manish, were summoned to the agency's CGO complex office, however they too did not appear. Subsequently, Biswas was summoned in connection with a sand smuggling case, wherein allegations of financial irregularities surfaced against him.
Instead of appearing before the agency in person, his lawyer represented him, citing prior personal engagements. Moreover, in a written communication, Biswas informed the ED that he was unable to attend due to official commitments.
The lookout notice was issued a day after the 2026 West Bengal assembly results were announced and comes in the wake of various ongoing probes by the ED in the state.
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