Kolkata: A lookout notice has been issued by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) against Kolkata Police deputy commissioner (Special Branch) Shantanu Sinha Biswas in connection with a money laundering case.
The notice was issued after the officer evaded summons. It has been circulated across airports, railway stations and other such transit points to prevent possible attempts by Biswas to flee the country.
Biswas, who also served as chief coordinator and nodal officer of the West Bengal and Kolkata Police welfare committee, was served notices to appear on at least five occasions, the ED said, as reported by Hindustan Times.
“He was served notices to appear before the agency on five occasions, but he did not turn up even once. Given his continued non-cooperation, we suspect he may try to evade the probe by going abroad,” PTI has cited an official as saying.
The ED had also conducted raids at two premises linked to Biswas ahead of issuing the lookout notice. This included his residence at Fern Road in Ballygunge.
The DCP was not present at the premises when the raids were conducted and has now evaded the notices served.
Biswas’ sons, Sayantan and Manish, were also summoned by the ED after the raid on the Fern Road residence, but they did not appear, PTI cited sources as claiming.
“The lookout notice has been issued detailing the allegations against him and to ensure he remains available for questioning,” another official said.
The raids on his premises were carried out under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The premises of a businessman, Joy Kamdar, managing director of a company named Sun Enterprise, were also raided in this connection, PTI reported.
Kamdar was taken in for questioning, in connection with a case against an alleged local criminal named Biswajit Podder alias Sona Pappu, who is booked in multiple cases on charges of attempted murder and extortion.
The first round of searches were conducted in the case on April 1, wherein the ED seized cash Rs 1.47 lakh, and gold jewellery and silver valued at Rs 67.64 lakh. A country-made revolver was also seized, as reported by PTI.
The Kolkata Police DCP was also summoned in connection with a sand smuggling case, wherein allegations of financial irregularities have surfaced against him.
