Kolkata, April 9 – The Enforcement Directorate, Kolkata Zonal Office, recently conducted searches at eight premises across Kolkata in a case linked to Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, Jay S. Kamdar, and others, the central investigating agency said in a statement on Thursday.
During the searches, cash amounting to approximately Rs 1.47 crore and gold and silver jewellery valued at approximately Rs 67.64 lakh, along with various incriminating documents and digital devices, were seized. One Fortuner vehicle, identified as belonging to Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, was also seized.
Furthermore, a revolver with the inscription "Made in USA" was recovered from the residential premises of Biswajit Podder on Fern Road in South Kolkata.
The revolver was handed over to the West Bengal Police Department as part of the Enforcement Directorate's contribution towards ensuring free, fair, and fearless elections for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, the agency said.
The Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation against Sona Pappu and others based on multiple First Information Reports registered by the West Bengal Police/Kolkata Police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Arms Act, 1959, for their involvement in rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Arms Act.
The accused persons, including Sona Pappu, were engaged in organised criminal activities in the state of West Bengal and generated huge funds illegally through syndicate operations.
Sona Pappu is also wanted by the police in a case of violence on Kankulia Road near Golpark in South Kolkata and is currently at large. The Enforcement Directorate has also issued a summons to Sona Pappu. However, he has not yet joined the investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has so far revealed that proceeds of crime were generated through illegal activities, including extortion, grabbing of real estate properties, and unauthorised construction through entities controlled by Sona Pappu and his associates.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate, Kolkata Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable properties amounting to Rs 18.50 crore in the form of mutual funds and shares belonging to Krishna Damani, his family members, and entities controlled by him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, in connection with its ongoing investigation into the siphoning of more than Rs 20 crore from the South Point Education Society.