Former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and real estate developer Biswajit Poddar, widely known as Sona Pappu, were produced before the Bankshall court in Kolkata on Thursday, 28 May, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody period for both accused expired. The court appearance marks a key procedural step in an expanding land syndicate probe that has already ensnared a former senior police officer and at least two businessmen.

Shantanu's Lawyer Seeks Grade One Prisoner Status

During the hearing, Shantanu's counsel urged the court to classify his client as a 'Grade One' prisoner, citing a threat to his life. 'Shantanu has a threat to his life. My client has conducted important investigations in several police stations. Several accused have been arrested and are in jail as a result of his investigations. Therefore, I am requesting that he be granted the status of a Grade One prisoner in jail,' the lawyer argued before the judge.

The ED's legal team, however, expressed reservations, stating that jail authorities should independently assess whether the circumstances warranting such status actually exist. The agency sought judicial custody of the former police officer.

Sona Pappu's Counsel Seeks Medical Care

Sona Pappu's lawyer did not apply for bail but requested the court to ensure that his client receives proper medical treatment during judicial custody. No bail application was moved on behalf of either accused at Thursday's hearing.

The Syndicate Case: What the ED Alleges

The ED arrested Sona Pappu earlier this month in connection with a land syndicate case. He is accused of allegedly acquiring others' land and property at artificially low prices by threatening the owners. He is also reportedly linked to a violent clash between two groups in the Rabindra Sarovar area in February 2025; multiple allegations against him surfaced while investigators examined that incident.

According to the ED's submissions before the court, a gang of three individuals associated with Sona Pappu was involved in the syndicate operations. Businessman Joy Kamdar was separately arrested in connection with the same case. The agency alleges that the group operated a highly influential land syndicate in the area.

How Shantanu Sinha Biswas Came Under the Scanner

The ED claims that former DC Shantanu Sinha Biswas had direct associations with the syndicate network. On 14 May, he was summoned for questioning at the CGO Complex and subsequently arrested in the same case. The agency informed the court that its investigation had uncovered multiple illegal financial transactions linked to him.

This is a significant development given Shantanu's former rank — a Deputy Commissioner-level officer being arrested in a financial crimes probe tied to a land syndicate is unusual even by the standards of West Bengal's turbulent law-enforcement landscape. The case adds to a growing list of ED actions in the state that have drawn political attention. Further court proceedings and the ED's next investigative steps will be closely watched.