Kolkata, May 19 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate has filed a series of charges in court against Biswajit Poddar alias Sona Pappu, who was arrested in connection with a syndicate and corruption case.
The central investigation agency claimed in court that Sona Pappu used to acquire other people’s land and property at low prices by threatening them.
Not only him alone, the Enforcement Directorate has also mentioned a gang of three people in court.
The agency claimed that Pappu worked for Behala businessman Joy Kamdar and Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas. He also handled important responsibilities of the land syndicate.
The Enforcement Directorate has sought 10 days’ custody of Sona Pappu.
After a long nine-hour interrogation, the Enforcement Directorate arrested Sona Pappu on Monday night. He was produced in court on Tuesday.
The Enforcement Directorate lawyer explained in court how Pappu had allegedly created the land syndicate over a long period.
The agency claimed that there are several charges against Pappu, including extortion, threats, land grabbing, and illegal possession of weapons.
The Enforcement Directorate has named Pappu as the main accused in those charges in court.
The investigating agency claimed that it recovered a revolver during a search operation at Pappu’s house.
The revolver was purchased in the name of businessman Joy Kamdar’s organisation.
After the revolver was purchased, unrest broke out in the Kankulia area under the Rabindra Sarovar police station in February.
However, Pappu’s lawyer claimed that the firearm was purchased by following all the rules required for buying firearms from an authorised arms dealer.
Notably, Pappu’s name had surfaced in connection with the unrest in February.
Locals alleged that Biswajit was behind the clash between two groups and that his associates were responsible for the violence and vandalism.
The Enforcement Directorate claimed in court that the gang used to buy properties at very low prices.
“Criminal muscle” was allegedly used to carry out construction work on those lands.
Pappu allegedly used to buy property in family members’ names at prices lower than market value.
The Enforcement Directorate cited one plot of land whose market value in 2024 was Rs 7.7 crore, but which was allegedly bought for Rs 1 crore.
In 2022, Pappu allegedly bought an 18-katha plot of land valued at Rs 5.42 crore for Rs 1.39 crore.
Pappu’s lawyer questioned whether the land had been bought at a lower price and why the owners had not lodged a complaint.
The Enforcement Directorate claimed that the gang mainly targeted elderly landowners.
The agency also told the court that Pappu used to control local businessmen through various construction and real estate companies.
About 30 such companies have reportedly been found in the names of Pappu and his family members.
The Enforcement Directorate has also accused Pappu of non-cooperation in the investigation.
The agency claimed that he was summoned three times but did not appear at any of the hearings. He reportedly appeared suddenly on Monday.
The Enforcement Directorate also said that scrutiny of bank accounts revealed transactions worth crores of rupees between Kamdar and companies associated with Pappu.
The agency claimed that Pappu used to implement work planned by Kamdar or his company.
Pappu is opposing the Enforcement Directorate’s demand.
His lawyer told the court that doing business is not wrong.
However, he said it would be investigated whether the money earned through those businesses was linked to corruption.
His client had not earned any money through the allegations under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate, the lawyer argued.
He further claimed that the allegations were intended to tarnish his client’s image in the public eye.
–IANS
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