ED files 100-page chargesheet against Sona Pappu; 200 witnesses to testify

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a comprehensive 100-page chargesheet against notorious anti-social element Biswajit Poddar, widely known as Sona Pappu, in connection with a major land corruption case. The chargesheet was formally submitted to the special ED court at the Kolkata City Sessions Court. Investigators have estimated that the financial scope of the land grabbing scams and associated illegal transactions amounts to approximately Rs 38 crore, naming a total of 200 witnesses to testify against the prime accused.

The central investigation agency detailed how Poddar aggressively targeted and grabbed real estate belonging to vulnerable elderly residents using sheer muscle power. According to the document, the accused carried out illegal constructions on these parcels after forcibly buying them at low rates through intimidation. The agency revealed that former corrupt police officer Shantanu Sinha Biswas actively assisted Poddar in executing the property seizures and covering up the extortion tracks.

The investigation further links Poddar to two co-accused associates, Joy Kamdar and Shantanu. Kamdar reportedly assisted Poddar in obtaining dynamic weapon licenses under his wife's name, leading to the recovery of a pistol during an initial search. Poddar had been on the run since a violent clash on Kakulia Road in Rabindra Sarovar, which took place just 15 days after the weapon procurement. Following a prolonged period of absconding, ED officials arrested him in the second week of May after a 10-hour interrogation where he routinely concealed facts.