The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday (May 14, 2026) arrested Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas. The arrests came after several hours of questioning by the ED in connection with allegations of land grabbing and a money laundering case linked to Biswajit Poddar, alias Sona Pappu.

He is likely to be produced in court on Friday (May 15, 2026).

ED had summoned former Kalighat Officer-in-Charge Shantanu Sinha Biswas several times for questioning in the Sona Pappu case. But the Kolkata Police official had avoided appearing several times. The ED has also sought a report from Director Security of the West Bengal Police on the status of the Kolkata Police official as to where he has been deputed.

ED had also issued a lookout notice against Shantanu Sinha Biswas for repeatedly not responding to summons. The investigating officers wanted to ensure that he did not leave the country. According to sources, some financial transactions of Kolkata Police Officials were found with Sona Pappu and his close associates. He was also linked to the documents obtained from businessman Joy Kamdar, who was arrested on charges of financial transactions by the ED.

The official was perceived to be too close to the previous Trinamool Congress government and Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had earlier made several allegations against the police officials in public.

This is the second high-profile arrest by ED after the change of regime in West Bengal. On May 11, the ED had arrested former Trinamool Congress Minister Sujit Bose in connection with a municipal recruitment scam. The allegation against the former Minister comes on the charges that Mr. Bose had illegally recommended 150 candidates for different posts under the South Dum Dum Municipality in lieu of pecuniary benefits.