Bengal govt, ED crack whip on tainted cops: Kolkata Police DC terminated, 12 others under scanner in land syndicate case
The Statesman | 17 May 2026
In a major escalation of the Enforcement Directorate’s crackdown on an alleged land-grabbing and money laundering network operating in Kolkata, the West Bengal government has terminated the services of former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas following his arrest by the central agency. The probe has now widened further, with at least 12 other police personnel reportedly coming under the ED’s scanner for suspected links to the same syndicate.
Biswas, who had continued in service on an extended tenure even after reaching retirement age, was arrested late Thursday after prolonged questioning by ED officials in connection with a money laundering investigation tied to an alleged land syndicate. The case revolves around absconding history-sheeter Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu, and an alleged network accused of illegally acquiring disputed properties across Kolkata and nearby areas.
Despite formally retiring upon attaining the age of 60, Biswas had earlier been granted a two-year service extension under the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. Following his arrest and amid the new BJP government’s move to discontinue extensions granted to retired officials, his tenure was formally terminated.
Sources said the ED had earlier issued lookout notices against Biswas after he allegedly failed to appear for multiple rounds of questioning and remained untraceable for a period during the investigation.
Before his arrest, ED officials reportedly interrogated the former officer for over 10 hours regarding his alleged role in facilitating illegal land deals and shielding members of the syndicate.
Investigators are now examining the role of nearly a dozen serving Kolkata Police personnel believed to have been closely associated with Biswas during his tenure. Most of those under scrutiny are said to be inspectors and sub-inspectors posted in different police units.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, the ED suspects a coordinated nexus involving police officers, local criminal elements and real estate operators that allegedly targeted disputed land parcels and vulnerable property owners.
Alleged modus operandi: FIR pressure, cheap land deals
The agency believes the syndicate operated by identifying disputed or legally vulnerable properties and then coercing owners into distress sales at heavily undervalued prices.
Investigators suspect that false criminal complaints and FIRs were registered at various police stations to intimidate property owners and force them into surrendering land or buildings to the network.
The probe has also linked the alleged operation to arrested real estate promoter Joy Kamdar, who is accused of working closely with Sona Pappu and members of the police network in converting the acquired properties into profitable real estate ventures.
Officials indicated that financial transactions, property records and police case files linked to several disputed land deals are now being examined. The ED is also tracing alleged proceeds generated through the syndicate’s activities and possible laundering routes used to channel the money.
With more police officers now under scrutiny, the case is expected to deepen into one of the most significant corruption and land syndicate investigations involving Kolkata Police in recent years.