The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a lookout circular against Kolkata Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Branch) Shantanu Sinha Biswas to prevent him from leaving the country. This action comes after he allegedly skipped five summons in a money laundering case.
Background of the Case
Biswas is a former officer-in-charge of the Kalighat Police Station, the area where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s residence is located. The ED had conducted a search at Biswas's home last month, but he was not present at the time. The case is linked to an alleged syndicate involved in illegal land deals and extortion, led by Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu. Podder is an elusive history-sheeter who faces attempted murder charges among other cases.
Details of the Lookout Circular
“The circular has been issued so that he can be detained at any airport or seaport,” a source said. Biswas allegedly skipped the ED summons citing “official commitments,” the source added, noting that his lawyer had previously represented him before the agency.
Previous Arrests and Seizures
The ED had arrested Joy Kamdar, a Kolkata businessman, in the same case last month. During the investigation, the agency claimed that a Toyota Fortuner and a US-made revolver were seized during a search at Podder’s home.
The development marks a significant step in the ongoing probe into the alleged syndicate’s activities, which have been under scrutiny for their involvement in illicit land transactions and extortion rackets in the region.
