Kolkata, April 27 (IANS) The Directorate of Enforcement’s Kolkata Zonal Office has expanded its investigation into a high-profile money laundering case involving a sophisticated network of individuals and shell companies in West Bengal.
On Sunday (April 26, 2026), the agency conducted searches at three premises in Kolkata linked to Kalyan Shukla and Sanjay Kumar Kanodia.
These raids led to the seizure of Rs 10 lakh in cash, gold jewellery, and a substantial cache of digital devices and incriminating documents.
According to an official statement, the seized materials indicate large-scale cash dealings between the prime suspects and several politically exposed persons.
The investigation primarily centres on Jay S Kamdar, who was arrested on April 19 and remains in custody following orders of a special PMLA court. He is alleged to be the kingpin of an extensive illegal hawala operation facilitating both domestic and international cross-border transactions through numerous shell entities.
Further probe into his financial dealings revealed that he was instrumental in siphoning off more than Rs 40 crore from an educational trust based in Kolkata.
Beyond financial irregularities, Kamdar is also under scrutiny for his alleged links with Sona Pappu, also known as Biswajit Poddar. Investigators suspect that Kamdar supplied firearms to Soma Sonar Poddar, wife of Sona Pappu, though she has reportedly not disclosed details of these transactions.
A key aspect of the case is the alleged collusion between the accused and senior law enforcement officials. The agency has identified that Kamdar maintained close contact with several police officers, including Santanu Sinha Biswas, a Deputy Commissioner of Police.
It is alleged that Kamdar provided expensive gifts and favours to these officers and their families to gain influence within the department. This influence was allegedly misused to file fraudulent complaints against individuals, particularly in disputes involving high-value immovable properties.
While the residential premises of the Deputy Commissioner of Police were searched earlier this month, the officer was not present during the process and has not appeared before the agency despite multiple summons.
The ongoing investigation follows earlier searches on April 1, during which the agency seized nearly Rs 1.47 crore in cash, gold and silver valued at over Rs 67 lakh, a luxury vehicle, and an unlicensed revolver.
The agency has identified several land parcels and buildings suspected to have been acquired through a systematic course of illegal activity.
The proceeds of crime in the case are believed to have been generated through multiple illicit activities, including extortion, unauthorised construction, and forcible grabbing of real estate by entities linked to the accused.
As the Directorate of Enforcement continues to analyse digital evidence seized during the latest searches, further arrests and attachment of assets are expected in what appears to be a complex financial and administrative racket.
–IANS
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