The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Biswajit Poddar (alias Sona Pappu) in connection with alleged land-grabbing activities after prolonged questioning in Kolkata. The arrest comes amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged extortion and land syndicate.
ED officials questioned Biswajit Poddar for several hours before taking him into custody, IANS reported. Investigators are examining allegations related to illegal land occupation and financial transactions linked to the case.
The latest arrest comes shortly after the central agency arrested Shantanu Sinha Biswas in the same broader investigation.
Marathon questioning before arrest
According to ED sources, Biswajit Poddar, alias 'Sona Pappu', appeared at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Monday morning after being on the run for nearly three months. He was questioned throughout the day in connection with a money-laundering case linked to alleged land grabbing, extortion, and illegal financial transactions in south Kolkata.
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After hours of interrogation, ED officials arrested him late on Monday night.
Investigators claimed they found direct financial links between Sona Pappu, arrested Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas, and businessman Jay S Kamdar, who is also under the scanner in the same investigation.
Before the questioning began, Sona Pappu denied the allegations.
He said, "I am not involved in any land-grabbing activities, and there is no police complaint against me."
Syndicate, extortion allegations under probe
ED officials alleged that Sona Pappu operated syndicate and extortion networks in Kasba, Tiljala, and Topsia areas of Kolkata.
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Investigators said his name first surfaced in 2015 after a clash near Ballygunge rail yard. Later, multiple allegations were registered against him, including a murder case in 2017, and an alleged attack on rival Munna Pandey outside Presidency Jail in 2021.
The ED is now examining whether influential individuals or senior police officers helped facilitate the alleged financial network linked to the syndicate. Officials are also checking land records, financial transactions and communication details as part of the probe.
