Massive ED Raids in Bengal Against Extortion Ring Linked to Police Officer

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out a major early-morning crackdown in West Bengal on May 22, 2026, targeting an alleged extortion and money-laundering network linked to former Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Santanu Sinha Biswas and an accused figure known as “Sona Pappu.” According to official sources, teams from the Enforcement Directorate launched coordinated raids at around 6 a.m. across multiple locations in Kolkata and Murshidabad. The simultaneous operations were part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected extortion racket and related financial irregularities involving land and property transactions. In Kolkata, ED officials searched several key premises, including a hotel on Royd Street and the residence of a local businessman believed to be connected to the case. Investigators also visited the home of a Kolkata Police sub-inspector as part of efforts to trace possible institutional links and financial flows within the alleged network. Meanwhile, in Murshidabad district, a special ED team conducted a raid at the residence of former DCP Santanu Sinha Biswas in Kandi. The action marks a significant escalation in the agency’s probe, as it expands beyond urban centers into multiple districts of the state. The investigation primarily revolves around an alleged extortion syndicate reportedly led by an individual known as Sona Pappu. ED sources suggest that preliminary findings indicate the use of multiple shell institutions and intermediaries to launder money generated through illegal activities, including coercion and land-related fraud. Officials further believe that the illicit funds may have been routed to several influential individuals and entities. The agency is now working to establish the full network of beneficiaries and trace the movement of money across different channels. Digital records, financial documents, and other evidence are being collected during the ongoing searches. Although the ED has not yet issued a formal public statement, insiders confirm that the operation is focused on dismantling the suspected extortion network and uncovering the financial architecture behind it. Authorities are also examining whether any public officials or law enforcement personnel facilitated or ignored the alleged activities. The raids are still underway, and more developments are expected as investigators continue to interrogate suspects and analyze seized materials. The case is emerging as one of the most significant financial crime probes in the region, with potential implications for both political and administrative circles in West Bengal.