Kolkata, April 9 Enforcement Directorate, Kolkata Zonal Office, recently conducted search operations at eight premises across Kolkata in a case linked to Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, Jay S. Kamdar, and others, the central investigation agency said in a statement on Thursday.
During the search, cash amounting to Rs 1.47 crore (approx.) and gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh (approx.), along with various incriminating documents and digital devices, were seized. One Fortuner vehicle, revealed to be used by Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, was also seized during the search.
Further, a revolver with ‘Made in USA’ written on it was recovered from the residential premises of Biswajit Podder on Fern Road in south Kolkata.
The same was handed over to the West Bengal Police Department as part of the Enforcement Directorate’s contribution towards ensuring free, fair, and fearless elections for the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, the agency said.
The Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation against Sona Pappu and others on the basis of multiple First Information Reports registered by West Bengal Police/Kolkata Police under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Arms Act, 1959, for their involvement in rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and Arms Act violations.
The accused persons, including Sona Pappu, were engaged in organised criminal syndicate activities in the state of West Bengal and generated huge funds illegally by way of syndicate operations.
Sona Pappu is also wanted by the police in a case of violence in Kankulia Road near Golpark of south Kolkata and is currently on the run. The Enforcement Directorate has also issued a summons to Sona Pappu. However, he has not joined the investigation so far.
The Enforcement Directorate investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act has so far revealed that proceeds of crime were generated through illegal activities, including extortion, grabbing of real estate properties, unauthorised building construction through entities controlled by Sona Pappu and his associates.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate, Kolkata Zonal Office, has provisionally attached movable properties amounting to Rs 18.50 crore in the form of mutual funds and shares belonging to Krishna Damani, his family members and entities controlled by him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, in connection with its ongoing investigation in the matter of siphoning off funds amounting to more than Rs 20 crore from the South Point Education Society.
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