ED seeks 10-day custody of Sona Pappu in Kolkata land syndicate case
Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has painted a detailed picture in court of an alleged Kolkata land syndicate — involving a businessman, a police officer, and a street-level enforcer — that purportedly bought properties at a fraction of their value through intimidation. With 30 companies, a recovered revolver, and crore-level transactions on record, the case could expose a deep nexus between real estate, organised crime, and law enforcement in West Bengal.
Key Takeaways
Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on Monday night after a nine-hour interrogation and produced in court on 19 May .
The ED has sought 10 days' custody and named Pappu the principal accused in charges including extortion, land grabbing, threats, and illegal weapons possession .
Pappu allegedly worked for Behala businessman Joy Kamdar and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas .
A revolver purchased in the name of Kamdar's organisation was recovered from Pappu's residence.
Specific land deals cited: a plot worth ₹7.7 crore allegedly bought for ₹1 crore ; an 18-katha plot worth ₹5.42 crore allegedly bought for ₹1.39 crore in 2022 .
About 30 companies have reportedly been found registered in the names of Pappu and his family members.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought 10 days' custody of Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu in a Kolkata court, filing a series of charges against him in connection with an alleged land syndicate and corruption racket. Pappu was arrested on Monday night following a nine-hour interrogation and was produced before the court on Tuesday, 19 May.
Charges and Allegations
The ED alleged in court that Pappu systematically acquired land and property from owners — primarily targeting elderly landowners — at prices far below market value, using criminal intimidation and coercion. Charges against him include extortion, threats, land grabbing, and illegal possession of weapons, with the agency naming him the principal accused.
The agency further alleged that Pappu operated as part of a gang of three, working on behalf of Behala businessman Joy Kamdar and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas, handling key responsibilities within the land syndicate.
Weapons Recovery and February Unrest
During a search at Pappu's residence, investigators claimed to have recovered a revolver purchased in the name of Joy Kamdar's organisation. According to the ED, unrest broke out in the Kankulia area under the Rabindra Sarovar police station in February shortly after the weapon was procured.
Locals had allegedly accused Pappu of instigating the clash between two groups, with his associates reportedly responsible for the violence and vandalism. Pappu's lawyer, however, contended that the firearm was purchased legally from an authorised arms dealer in full compliance with applicable rules.
Scale of Alleged Land Deals
The ED presented specific transactions to illustrate the alleged undervaluation scheme. A plot whose market value was assessed at ₹7.7 crore in 2024 was allegedly purchased for just ₹1 crore. Separately, in 2022, an 18-katha plot valued at ₹5.42 crore was allegedly acquired for ₹1.39 crore.
The agency alleged that properties were registered in the names of Pappu's family members and that 'criminal muscle' was deployed to carry out construction on the acquired land. About 30 companies have reportedly been identified in the names of Pappu and his family.
Financial Trail and Non-Cooperation
Scrutiny of bank accounts allegedly revealed transactions worth crores of rupees between Joy Kamdar and companies linked to Pappu. The ED told the court that Pappu implemented work planned by Kamdar or his firm, effectively acting as the operational arm of the syndicate.
The agency also accused Pappu of non-cooperation, stating he was summoned three times but failed to appear on any occasion before reportedly turning up on Monday. The ED cited this as grounds for extended custody.
Defence Response
Pappu's lawyer contested the custody plea, arguing that conducting business is not inherently unlawful and that it remained to be established whether any earnings were linked to corruption. The defence further claimed that the allegations were motivated by an intent to damage his client's public reputation, and that Pappu had not derived any income through the activities under investigation.
The court's ruling on the custody application is awaited, with the case expected to draw further scrutiny of the alleged nexus between business, real estate, and law enforcement in Kolkata.
Point of View
But for who it implicates alongside him — a serving Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner. If the alleged nexus between a uniformed officer, a Behala businessman, and a land enforcer is substantiated, it would represent a systemic failure, not just individual criminality. West Bengal's real estate sector has long been shadowed by syndicate politics; what this case potentially adds is a direct law-enforcement link, which raises the accountability stakes considerably. The defence's argument — that no complaint was filed by land sellers — is a familiar deflection in coercion cases where victims fear retaliation, and courts have historically treated its absence as inconclusive rather than exculpatory.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sona Pappu and why was he arrested?
Sona Pappu is the alias of Biswajit Poddar , a Kolkata-based figure arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged land syndicate and corruption case. He is accused of acquiring properties at below-market prices through intimidation, extortion, and coercion, and of operating as part of a three-member gang linked to a businessman and a police officer.
Who else is named in the ED's case?
The ED has named Behala businessman Joy Kamdar and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas as individuals Pappu allegedly worked for. The agency claims Pappu executed work planned by Kamdar and handled key operations of the land syndicate.
What specific land deals has the ED cited as evidence?
The ED cited two transactions: a plot with a 2024 market value of ₹7.7 crore allegedly bought for ₹1 crore , and an 18-katha plot valued at ₹5.42 crore allegedly acquired for ₹1.39 crore in 2022 . Both were allegedly registered in the names of Pappu's family members.
What is the significance of the revolver recovered from Pappu's house?
The ED claims the revolver was purchased in the name of Joy Kamdar's organisation and links it to unrest in the Kankulia area in February . Pappu's lawyer countered that the weapon was legally purchased from an authorised dealer in compliance with all applicable rules.
What is Pappu's defence against the ED's custody plea?
Pappu's lawyer argued that running businesses is not unlawful, that no proven link to corruption has been established, and that the allegations are designed to damage his client's reputation. The defence also questioned why property sellers had not filed complaints if they were truly coerced.
