The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated proceedings to attach the residence of former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas at Kandi in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, according to an insider within the central probe agency. The move follows a large-scale search operation on Friday, 23 May 2025, during which ED officials broke open the locks of the property and recovered nearly 2 kilograms of gold — valued at approximately ₹3 crore — along with ₹10 lakh in cash, mobile phones, and property-related documents.

What the Search Operation Uncovered

ED officials reportedly reached Shantanu's ancestral home at Kandi on Friday and waited outside for nearly two-and-a-half hours before forcibly entering the premises. The search continued for several hours. In all, operations were conducted across nine locations — including three sites in Kolkata — in a single day. Investigators also visited the residence of a Sub-Inspector of Kolkata Police in Kasba and the home of businessman Atul Kataria in Chakraberia, where alleged links to a figure known as Sona Pappu reportedly surfaced during the investigation. An ED team additionally visited Royd Street in central Kolkata.

The 'Palatial' House That Raised Eyebrows

Local sources in Kandi claim that Shantanu's residence — once reportedly in a dilapidated condition — was transformed into what residents described as a 'palatial' structure in a matter of a few years. The rapid renovation had already attracted public scrutiny following Shantanu's arrest. ED officials examined property documents and questioned family members during the search, and according to agency sources, formal seizure preparations are now underway.

Who Is Shantanu Sinha Biswas

Shantanu Sinha Biswas had previously served as the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kalighat Police Station in Kolkata before rising to the rank of Deputy Commissioner. He is a resident of Ward No. 8 under Kandi Municipality. He was arrested by the ED in connection with a criminal-linked syndicate case. Notably, his sister, Gouri Sinha Biswas, serves as the Vice-Chairperson of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led Kandi Municipality — a detail that has added a political dimension to the case.

Digital Evidence and Deleted Data

ED sources indicated that most chats and other information on the mobile phones recovered during the searches had been deleted. Officials are now examining whether the deleted data can be retrieved through forensic means. Questioning and further investigation in the matter are continuing, the agency said.

This comes amid a broader pattern of ED actions targeting individuals with alleged links to criminal syndicates operating in West Bengal, with multiple cases involving police personnel drawing scrutiny in recent months. The outcome of the attachment proceedings and the forensic recovery of deleted data are expected to be key developments to watch in the coming weeks.