The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned three police officers with close ties to arrested former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas for questioning in a criminal-linked syndicate case, officials confirmed on Wednesday, 24 June. The development signals a widening of the agency's probe into an alleged extortion-and-land-grabbing network that has already ensnared a senior police officer, a syndicate kingpin, and a businessman.

Who Has Been Summoned

Among the three officers called in for questioning is a Sub-Inspector currently posted at a police station in south Kolkata, according to a senior ED official. The agency has also issued summons to the family members of arrested syndicate operator Biswajit Poddar, widely known as Sona Pappu — including his wife Soma Poddar and several other relatives — directing them to appear at the ED's office this week.

The Syndicate at the Centre of the Probe

Sona Pappu, a resident of Ballygunge in south Kolkata, faces multiple charges including land grabbing, extortion, and violations under the Arms Act. The ED's investigation was initiated on the basis of these charges. In the course of that probe, the name of businessman Joy Kamdar surfaced, leading to his arrest as well. A search operation was subsequently conducted at the residence of Shantanu Sinha Biswas on Fern Road in south Kolkata.

How Biswas Was Eventually Arrested

The day after the search, the ED summoned Shantanu and his two sons, Sayantan and Manish, to the CGO Complex office in Salt Lake, Kolkata — but none of them appeared. In April, Shantanu was also summoned in a separate sand smuggling case, which he again did not comply with. A lookout circular was issued in his name. He eventually appeared at the ED office, after which he was arrested following interrogation.

Sona Pappu, who had remained at large for a period, subsequently walked into the CGO Complex with his wife and was arrested after a prolonged interrogation. All three — Shantanu Sinha Biswas, Sona Pappu, and Joy Kamdar — are currently in judicial custody.

What the ED Is Pursuing Now

With the three primary accused in custody, the ED is now turning its attention to those in their orbit — including police personnel who reportedly maintained close ties with the former Deputy Commissioner, and family members of the syndicate operator. This comes amid a broader pattern of ED investigations into alleged nexuses between organised crime networks and law enforcement in West Bengal. The questioning of Sona Pappu's wife and relatives is expected to focus on financial trails and assets linked to the syndicate's operations.

The probe is ongoing, and further summons or arrests cannot be ruled out as the agency maps the full extent of the alleged criminal network.