Sona Pappu's Surrender
Biswajit Poddar, widely recognized by his moniker 'Sona Pappu,' has been taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This development comes
after the real estate developer from Kolkata's Ballygunge area managed to remain at large for a period exceeding three months. Poddar's apprehension occurred on a Monday morning when he voluntarily appeared at the ED's Salt Lake CGO Complex office in Kolkata. Upon arrival, he reportedly proclaimed his identity as a businessman, not a criminal. Following an interrogation that lasted for over nine hours, the agency placed him under arrest. This marks the culmination of an extensive search operation that was initiated after the ED previously conducted raids on his residence and various associated locations, during which a significant sum of over Rs 2 crore in cash, along with property documents and a firearm, were allegedly seized.
Allegations Unveiled
The charges against 'Sona Pappu' are multifaceted, primarily centering on alleged extortion and large-scale land grabbing operations within Kolkata. He is also implicated in the suspicious parking of illicit funds belonging to influential individuals. The ED's interest in Poddar intensified following earlier arrests in related cases. On April 20, businessman Jay S Kamdar, the managing director of Sun Enterprise, was apprehended for his alleged role in illegal financial transactions amounting to approximately Rs 1,100 crore, purportedly conducted through a network of shell companies. Further deepening the investigation, the ED arrested Santanu Sinha Biswas, a Deputy Commissioner within the Kolkata Police, on May 14. ED sources suggest a significant nexus exists between these three individuals, all purportedly connected to the ongoing extortion and land-grabbing inquiry. The agency is diligently working to trace the flow of money to expose the alleged criminal syndicate and the extent of their operations.
Criminal Past
'Sona Pappu' has a well-documented history of legal entanglements that predate his current arrest. His alleged involvement in criminal activities became particularly prominent around 2010-11 when he entered the construction business. A notable incident occurred in 2015 when he reportedly attempted to seize control of the Ballygunge Rail Yard, which led to a confrontation with another local figure, Munna Pandey. More recently, in February, a violent clash erupted on Kankulia Road in the Golpark area, involving rival groups, resulting in injuries and several arrests. Residents reported that over 100 individuals, allegedly led by 'Sona Pappu,' initiated an attack on local resident Bappi Haldar and his supporters. The motive behind this aggression, according to local accounts, was 'Sona Pappu's' purported attempt to establish dominance over the area. His past also includes an arrest in Jalpaiguri in 2017, following the murder of Palash Jana, which was reportedly linked to territorial disputes on Swinhoe Lane in Kolkata. Although he was subsequently released on bail, law enforcement agencies claim he still faces a substantial number of criminal charges, estimated at over 15, including offenses such as attempted murder, rape, and numerous violations of the Arms Act. Even while in hiding, 'Sona Pappu' reportedly used social media platforms to assert his innocence and make public statements regarding his case.
