ED Conducts Fresh Raids In Kolkata, Murshidabad In Sona Pappu Extortion Case

Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday (May 22) conducted multiple raids across West Bengal on Friday morning in connection with an alleged extortion racket. The raids are being conducted at nine premises linked to the case of Sona Pappu and Santanu Sinha Biswas in Kolkata and Murshidabad.The premises covered include those of Mohammed Ali, allias, Max Raju, Saurav Adhikari, Murshidabad premises of former Kolkata Police DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas and a property of his nephew. "The searches are being conducted in pursuance of the findings unearthed during custodial interrogation of the accused and other persons ," the ED said.ED Raids On April 1:The ED also conducted searches on April 1 at 8 premises across Kolkata in West Bengal in a case linked to a criminal.

Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, Jay S. Kamdar and others. During the searches, cash amounting to Rs. 1.47 crore (approx.) and gold jewellery & silver valued at Rs. 67.64 lakh (approx.) along with a number of incriminating documents and digital devices were seized. Several immovable properties in the form of land, buildings, etc. were identified, which were allegedly obtained through criminal activities. One Fortuner vehicle revealed to be used by Biswajit Podder, allias Sona Pappu, was also seized during the search. Further, a revolver) having “Made in USA” written was also recovered from the residential premises of Biswajit Podder on Fern Road, Kolkata. About The Case:The case is based on multiple FIRs registered by West Bengal Police/ Kolkata Police under various Sections of the IPC, 1860 and the Arms Act, 1959 for his involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy and Arms Act violations.Earlier businessman Jay Kamdar was arrested in the case. As per the ED, Jay S Kamdar was in close contact with Sona Pappu and having huge financial transactions with him. He is allegedly involved in extensive illegal international cross-border and domestic hawala transactions through many shell companies. Kamdar is allegedly in close contact with many police officials, including Santanu Sinha Biswas, providing favours and expensive gifts to such officers, including their family members.Kamdar wielded considerable clout and influence among a section of police officers and misused it for getting favors and lodging complaints against unsuspecting individuals in land-related matters.