Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas has been terminated from service by the West Bengal government following his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering-cum-land syndicate case. The termination, effective in May 2025, comes as the ED widens its probe, with 12 other Kolkata Police personnel now reportedly under the agency's scanner in the same case.

The Arrest and Termination

Sinha Biswas had crossed the official retirement age of 60 but was retained on a two-year extension by the previous Mamata Banerjee-led All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. His extended tenure was brought to an abrupt end after the ED arrested him, and in line with the new Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's policy of terminating extended service-holders across state departments.

According to an insider at the state secretariat Nabanna, Sinha Biswas was not afforded the opportunity to resign — a departure from how other extended service-holders have been treated — and his service was instead terminated directly by the state government.

The Money Laundering and Land Syndicate Case

Before his arrest on Thursday night, ED officials interrogated Sinha Biswas for over 10 hours in connection with a laundering-cum-land syndicate case linked to history-sheeter Biswajit Poddar, also known as Sona Pappu, who is currently absconding. The agency had earlier issued a lookout notice against Sinha Biswas after he went absconding upon receiving multiple ED summonses.

The alleged nexus involved Sona Pappu, arrested city-based real estate promoter Joy Kamdar, and police personnel led by Sinha Biswas. According to investigators, the group allegedly targeted 'disputed land parcels' and 'disputed properties' in and around Kolkata, acquiring them at below-market prices before channelling them into lucrative real estate ventures.

How the Syndicate Allegedly Operated

The modus operandi, according to the ED, involved registering false FIRs at multiple police stations against the original owners of disputed properties. This reportedly coerced owners into selling their land or properties at throwaway prices to the syndicate, which then deployed the assets in commercial real estate dealings.

Notably, the alleged scheme exploited the institutional authority of police personnel to intimidate property owners — a pattern that investigators say made it particularly difficult for victims to seek redress through the very law enforcement machinery that was allegedly complicit.

12 More Cops Under ED Scanner

Sources aware of the investigation told reporters that 12 other Kolkata Police personnel — described as close confidants of Sinha Biswas during his service — are now under the ED's scanner for their alleged involvement in the same money laundering-cum-land syndicate case. The officers under scrutiny are said to be primarily in the ranks of sub-inspectors, with some holding the rank of inspector.

The widening probe signals that the ED views the alleged syndicate as a structured network rather than an isolated case of individual misconduct. Investigators are expected to pursue further arrests and summonses as the inquiry deepens.