The Enforcement Directorate (ED) discovered more than Rs 1 crore in cash and seized weapons in Kolkata before the Assembly elections. The cash was found at a residence in Behala linked to a company executive. Additionally, weapons were seized during a separate search at the Kasba residence of businessman Biswajit Poddar.
ED officials have been conducting searches at various locations associated with an individual known as Sona Pappu since Wednesday morning. Sona Pappu is suspected to have connections with syndicate operations in parts of south Kolkata, including Kasba and Ballygunge. Investigators received information that significant amounts of money were allegedly being collected from construction firms and channeled through intermediaries with suspected ties to influential individuals.
Sources revealed that Sona Pappu is believed to have close ties with a Trinamool Congress leader from south Kolkata, who was recently interrogated by the ED. However, there is no official confirmation of a direct link in the current case. The searches were carried out following reports of a clash in the Golpark area where Sona Pappu’s name had emerged in local accounts, although he denied any involvement in that incident.
According to ED officials, multiple FIRs have been filed against Sona Pappu in the past, including cases related to extortion and criminal intimidation. The ongoing investigations are based on several of these FIRs. The ED teams, accompanied by central forces personnel, reached the Fern Road residence early in the morning, and the searches continued throughout the day.
