ED land grab case: Kolkata bizman Joy Kamdar seeks approver status
Synopsis
Kolkata real estate promoter Joy Kamdar, arrested by the ED in a multi-accused land-grabbing and money-laundering case, has moved to turn approver — a step that could unravel an alleged nexus involving a former Kolkata Police deputy commissioner and a land mafia kingpin. The PMLA court has given the ED until 25 August to respond.
Key Takeaways
Joy Kamdar , a Kolkata-based businessman arrested by the ED in April , has sought approver status in an illegal land-grabbing and money-laundering case.
His counsel has filed a formal application before a special PMLA court in Kolkata ; the ED has until 25 August to respond.
The case also implicates alleged land mafia kingpin Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu and former Kolkata Police deputy commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas , both arrested in May .
Investigators reportedly traced hawala links to operators in Malaysia , the UK , and Dubai , as well as real estate assets in Bolpur-Santiniketan , Birbhum district .
If granted approver status, Kamdar would record a confidential statement before a magistrate, potentially strengthening the prosecution's case.
Kolkata-based businessman and real estate promoter Joy Kamdar, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) earlier this year for alleged involvement in multiple illegal land-grabbing cases, has formally approached the central agency seeking to be designated an approver in the matter. His counsel has simultaneously filed an application before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata, where the case is being heard.
Court Deadline and Next Steps
The special PMLA court has given the ED until 25 August to convey its decision on Kamdar's proposal. It remains unclear whether the agency will accept the request or whether the court will ultimately grant him approver status. The final decision rests with the presiding judge, who must record reasons and weigh all relevant legal considerations before conferring such status.
The Alleged Land-Grabbing Nexus
The case centres on an alleged illegal land-grabbing network involving Kamdar, alleged land mafia kingpin Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu, and former Kolkata Police deputy commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas. Kamdar was arrested in April, while Sinha Biswas and Poddar were taken into custody in May. Investigators allege the trio amassed substantial illegal proceeds through coordinated land-grabbing operations.
Hawala Trail and Real Estate Assets
The ED has alleged that the accused routed illicit earnings through hawala channels. According to investigators, Kamdar's communications with hawala operators in Malaysia, the UK, and Dubai were reportedly uncovered during the probe. Investigators subsequently traced significant real estate assets linked to Kamdar and Sinha Biswas in the Bolpur-Santiniketan area of Birbhum district, allegedly acquired using unaccounted funds.
What Approver Status Would Mean
Legal experts note that while Indian law permits an accused to turn approver, the process involves multiple stages and is far from automatic. If Kamdar's plea is accepted, he would be required to record a confidential statement before a judicial magistrate — testimony that could materially strengthen the prosecution's case against the remaining accused. The investigating agency must first assess the proposal and its legal implications before seeking the court's sanction. This development marks a potential turning point in what is shaping up to be one of West Bengal's most closely watched money-laundering prosecutions.
Point of View
The UK, and Dubai, combined with real estate assets in Birbhum, suggest a layered laundering operation that goes well beyond a localised land dispute. The more consequential question is what Kamdar can offer against a serving-era Kolkata Police officer: if Sinha Biswas's alleged role is as deep as investigators claim, this case has the potential to expose systemic collusion between law enforcement and organised land crime in West Bengal — something the mainstream coverage has so far underplayed.
NationPress
15 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Joy Kamdar and why was he arrested?
Joy Kamdar is a Kolkata-based businessman and real estate promoter arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in April for alleged involvement in multiple illegal land-grabbing cases linked to money laundering under the PMLA.
What does seeking approver status mean in this case?
Seeking approver status means Kamdar is offering to cooperate with the prosecution in exchange for being treated as a witness rather than an accused. If granted, he would record a confidential statement before a judicial magistrate, which could be used as evidence against the other accused.
Who are the other accused in the ED land-grabbing case?
The other accused include alleged land mafia kingpin Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu and former Kolkata Police deputy commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas, both arrested in May. Investigators allege all three accumulated substantial illegal proceeds through coordinated land-grabbing operations.
What is the court deadline in this matter?
The special PMLA court in Kolkata has directed the ED to convey its decision on Kamdar's approver application by 25 August. The court will then consider whether to formally grant him the status.
What evidence has the ED gathered so far?
According to investigators, the ED has reportedly uncovered Kamdar's communications with hawala operators in Malaysia, the UK, and Dubai, and has traced significant real estate assets linked to Kamdar and Sinha Biswas in the Bolpur-Santiniketan area of Birbhum district, allegedly purchased with unaccounted funds.
