Kolkata, April 19 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Kolkata businessman Joy Kamdar on Sunday following a series of raids targeting him and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected syndicate linked to criminal activities.

Kamdar, who serves as the Managing Director of Sun Enterprise, was taken into custody after undergoing four hours of intensive questioning, according to an ED official.

He was arrested at his home in the Behala locality of south Kolkata during early morning raids and subsequently transported to the ED office located at CGO Complex, Salt Lake. Following his interrogation, he was arrested under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and officials have stated that he will be presented in court, where they will request his custody for further questioning.

However, while being en route to a hospital for a medical evaluation, Mr. Kamdar experienced health issues. He was then admitted to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital for further assessment. It remains uncertain if he will be presented in court on Sunday.

Earlier that day, ED officials executed a raid at his residence in Behala. In conjunction with this operation, they also searched two properties belonging to Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas in the Ballygunge area of south Kolkata.

“The ED is conducting searches at the residences of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas in Ballygunge and Joy Kamdar in Behala. To this point, two premises belonging to Biswas and one belonging to Kamdar have been targeted in connection with Sona Pappu and Kamdar concerning a case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002,” stated an earlier ED announcement.

Local reports suggest that Kamdar is primarily engaged in the real estate development and construction sectors. His residence had previously been searched as well. His name surfaced during the recent search of Sona Pappu’s residence earlier this month, where cash was reportedly recovered from Kamdar’s home in Behala. The ED had summoned him for questioning on two occasions, which he neglected to attend. Consequently, ED officials revisited his residence on Sunday.

This raid is part of an investigation into a money laundering case involving Sona Pappu, who is facing multiple charges, including attempted murder and extortion, according to an ED official.

Sona Pappu is alleged to operate syndicates in the south Kolkata regions of Kasba and Ballygunge, with several FIRs filed against him for various allegations. He is also a key suspect in the Golpark clashes that occurred in February and is currently evading authorities, occasionally using social media to accuse the central investigation agency of harassing his family.

Authorities have alleged that Pappu extorted significant sums of money from construction firms, which were subsequently funneled to influential individuals. The ED initiated the first round of searches in this case on April 1.

During these searches, the ED seized cash amounting to Rs 1.47 crore, along with gold jewelry and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh, and a country-made revolver from various locations.

This investigation is rooted in a Kolkata Police FIR against Pappu for his suspected involvement in activities related to rioting, attempted murder, criminal conspiracy, and violations of the Arms Act.

According to the ED, the accused, including Pappu, were engaged in organized criminal syndicate activities throughout West Bengal, generating funds illegally through syndicate operations.