Early morning ED raids rock Kolkata: Kolkata DCP, Sun Enterprises MD linked to financial probe

In a dramatic escalation ahead of the West Bengal Assembly elections, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday carried out early morning raids across Kolkata, targeting multiple locations linked to an ongoing money laundering probe.

One of the most high-profile targets was the residence of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas at Fern Road in Ballygunge. ED officials, backed by central forces, reached the premises before 6 am and swiftly sealed the housing complex.

Entry and exit points were barricaded, movement was restricted, and the mobile phones of family members were reportedly taken to prevent any communication during the operation.

Search and interrogation proceedings began simultaneously, with officials combing through documents and electronic records inside the premises.

Links to wider financial probe

Biswas, who earlier served as the officer-in-charge of Kalighat police station, has previously come under the ED’s scanner.

He had been questioned in connection with the coal smuggling case and was summoned to Delhi during the investigation.

Sources indicate that multiple flats within the same residential complex are linked to him, prompting the agency to widen the scope of its search operations.

The current investigation is believed to be part of a larger financial investigation, which recently saw the seizure of ₹1.5 crore from a businessman’s residence, a development that reportedly brought Biswas’ name back into focus.

Parallel raid in Behala

In a coordinated move, ED teams also raided the residence of businessman Jay S Kamdar, Managing Director of Sun Enterprises, in Behala.

Officials arrived at the location early but had to wait nearly 40 minutes before gaining access, as repeated attempts to contact those inside initially went unanswered.

The gate was eventually opened around 6:30 am, following which search operations commenced.

The raids are being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Sona Pappu and Joy Kamdar case.

Political heat ahead of polls

The timing of the raids, just days before polling, has added a sharp political edge to the developments, with investigative actions now under intense scrutiny in the charged election atmosphere.

Searches at both locations were still underway at the time of reporting, as ED officials continue to gather evidence and examine financial links in what appears to be an expanding probe.