ED issues lookout notice against Kolkata Deputy Police Commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, 5 May issued a lookout notice against Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas in connection with two separate money laundering cases, officials confirmed. The move comes after Sinha Biswas reportedly failed to respond to multiple ED summons and skipped scheduled appearances at the agency's Salt Lake office in Kolkata.
Why the Lookout Notice Was Issued
According to sources aware of the development, the ED issued the lookout notice amid concerns that Sinha Biswas — described as a close confidante of outgoing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee — might attempt to flee the country. This apprehension reportedly intensified following the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC)'s landslide defeat in the recent West Bengal Assembly elections. Sources also indicated that ED officials were unable to ascertain Sinha Biswas's whereabouts even through his close relatives.
The Money Laundering Investigation
The ED has recently expanded its probe into a high-profile money laundering network allegedly involving shell companies and individuals operating across West Bengal. As part of this investigation, agency officials conducted raids and search operations at Sinha Biswas's residential premises last month. However, the officer was reportedly not present during the searches and subsequently did not appear before ED investigators despite receiving multiple summons.
In a related development, the ED arrested Kolkata-based businessman Joy Kamdar in connection with the same laundering case. Investigators reportedly found that Kamdar had close links with Sinha Biswas. It is alleged that Kamdar provided expensive gifts and favours to several police officers, including Sinha Biswas and their families, to gain influence within the department.
Alleged Misuse of Police Power
According to the ED's investigation, the influence allegedly cultivated through these gifts was misused to file fraudulent complaints against individuals — particularly in high-value immovable property disputes. These allegations, if proven, would represent a significant breach of public trust by a senior law enforcement officer.
Sinha Biswas had long faced accusations from opposition parties in West Bengal, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), of functioning as a political agent of the ruling TMC while in uniform. There were reportedly several instances where he was spotted at police programmes addressing Mamata Banerjee as
