Money laundering probe: ED alleges Jay Kamdar used police links for West Bengal land favours

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Monday that Kolkata businessman Jay Kamdar used influence with some West Bengal police officers. The agency alleged this influence was used to gain help in land disputes. The ED also claimed Kamdar arranged favours and costly gifts for certain officers and family members.

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Kamdar, the Managing Director of Sun Enterprise, was arrested after fresh ED raids on April 19. The agency said a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court at Bichar Bhavan in Kolkata sent Kamdar to nine days of ED custody on Monday. The ED described these steps as part of a money laundering probe.

Enforcement Directorate money laundering probe and police links

During the same probe, the ED on Sunday searched premises linked to Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Special Branch Shantanu Sinha Biswas. The searches were linked to an alleged criminal syndicate. The ED said the syndicate was led by Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu. The agency claimed Kamdar was in contact with Biswas and other officers.

The ED said its investigation showed Kamdar had strong clout with a section of police officers. The agency alleged Kamdar misused those connections to obtain favours. It also claimed complaints were filed against unsuspecting people in land-related matters. The ED did not name the officers involved beyond Biswas.

Enforcement Directorate money laundering probe into hawala and shell firms

The agency claimed Kamdar carried out large illegal hawala transactions. These were described as international cross-border and domestic dealings. The ED said many shell companies were used in the alleged movement of funds. The agency also claimed Kamdar had large financial transactions with Podder.

The ED further alleged Kamdar supplied firearms to Podder's wife. The agency said Podder's wife did not reveal details about the alleged firearm purchase. The ED did not provide further information on the timing of the purchase. The agency linked these claims to its broader money laundering case.

Enforcement Directorate money laundering probe and earlier seizures

The ED said it first searched locations in the case on April 1. After those searches, the agency said it seized Rs 1.47 crore in cash. It also seized gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh. The ED said an SUV and an unlicensed revolver were also recovered.

The investigation began after a Kolkata Police FIR against Podder, the ED said. The FIR includes allegations of rioting, attempt to murder, criminal conspiracy, and Arms Act violations. The ED also said Podder is wanted in a violence case at Kankulia Road near Golpark of Kolkata. The agency said Podder is on the run.

The ED said it issued a summons to Podder, but Podder did not join the investigation. The agency repeated that position on April 1. These developments came as Assembly election campaigning continued in West Bengal. The state has two-phase polling scheduled for April 23 and April 29.

With inputs from PTI