ED Arrests Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner in Money Laundering Probe

Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on May 14 after more than 10 hours of questioning at the agency's office in the city, officials said. The arrest stems from an investigation into alleged money laundering, land grabbing, extortion, and financial irregularities linked to a criminal syndicate led by Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu, and businessman Joy Kamdar.

Biswas, who appeared before investigators only after skipping multiple summons and following the issuance of a lookout notice, faces accusations of non-cooperation during interrogation. "He repeatedly avoided giving direct replies and did not cooperate with the investigation," a senior ED official said. "Based on the material collected and his conduct during questioning, he was placed under arrest." Investigators confronted him with WhatsApp chats, digital data, and financial records recovered from Kamdar, who was arrested on April 30 for his role in illegal land deals and transactions worth crores of rupees, including transfers to shell companies. ED officials noted suspicious transactions linked to Biswas, such as one estimated at 2.5 crore rupees, traced...