ED says more victims are coming forward in land-grabbing case involving Sona Pappu

Former DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas and businessman Jay Kamdar are also among the accused in the land-grabbing and extortion case investigated by the Enforcement Directorate.

3 min readKolkataUpdated: Jun 1, 2026 07:41 PM IST

Kolkata land-grabbing case ex-DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas

Ex-DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas was arrested after 10 hours of marathon questioning. (Photo enhanced using AI)

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday sought judicial custody for former Deputy Commissioner of Police Santanu Sinha Biswas, history-sheeter Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu, and businessman Jay Kamdar in a land-grabbing and extortion case, stating in a Kolkata sessions court that more victims were coming forward.

ED’s counsel submitted in the court, “We move for judicial custody as there is progress in the investigation. We have got several incriminating materials. In the last searches done, we have got more materials: Rs 17 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, and electronic devices. We have also taken the statements of five to seven victims of land-grabbing. We are making considerable progress in the investigation, and more and more people are coming out…”

Kamdar attended the hearing virtually from jail, while Pappu and Biswas were physically present in the court.

Kamdar’s counsel submitted that his client had no prior conviction and had requested division-one prisoner status.

Pappu’s counsel submitted, “We are not moving any bail application, just a medical application that he be kept in jail hospital and get treatment for his ailments.”

Biswas’s counsel submitted that his client had moved the court for division-one status due to a threat to his life. “The ED also stated they will look into the security aspect. He was DC and has looked into several sensitive cases. He has convicted many and many undertrials there. So there is a threat. He also got a lot of awards for good deeds during his service. Jail is not a good place. There is chaos in jail. He is also suffering from some ailments. He is 62 years old and about to undergo surgery, so he needs medical attention in jail,” the counsel said.

The court heard all sides and reserved its order.

While ED arrested Joy S Kamdar in April, it arrested Biswas on May 14 after 10 hours of marathon questioning. The agency arrested Pappu on May 18. ED is looking for Biswas’s three missing mobile phones.

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Pappu had been in and out of jail since he entered the construction business in 2010-11.

In February, bombs were hurled, bullets fired, and stones pelted as two rival groups clashed on Kankulia Road in Kolkata’s Golpark area, leaving two injured. According to locals, this was in retaliation for an attack that over 100 people led by Pappu carried out on Bappi Haldar and his supporters.

Locals alleged that Pappu orchestrated the violence to establish control over the area.

Tanusree Bose

Tanusree Bose is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Kolkata. Her work focuses sharply on the complex administrative, political, and judicial developments across West Bengal, establishing her as an authoritative voice in regional news coverage. Experience Current Role: Reports for the prestigious national daily, The Indian Express, providing her content with a high level of Trustworthiness. Geographical Expertise: Provides focused, in-depth coverage of West Bengal, demonstrating an intimate knowledge of the state's news and political nuances. Core Authority: Her reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial, often sensitive, beats, including: State Politics and Governance: Covering the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), opposition strategies (BJP), and internal political controversies. Judicial and Administrative Affairs: Closely monitoring key developments in the Calcutta High Court, particularly major rulings related to employment, education, and social issues. Education Sector: Extensive reporting on significant controversies, such as teacher recruitment irregularities and administrative actions by the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE). Social & Electoral Issues: Covering public events, community tensions (e.g., religious/political gatherings), and election-related processes like the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. Tanusree Bose's consistent output and focus on high-stakes regional issues for a trusted media outlet underscore her status as a reliable and authoritative source for news from West Bengal. ... Read More

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