Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate’s recent crackdown in West Bengal has triggered a major controversy, starting with a raid at the residence of Kolkata Police Special Branch DCP Shantanu Sinha Biswas. Shortly after being summoned by the ED, the officer reportedly went missing and is currently untraceable. He is believed to be linked to investigations involving alleged irregularities in private medical colleges, including fake NRI quota admissions, along with cases related to sand, coal, and land dealings.
I-PAC Under ED Scanner
The probe has also extended to I-PAC, a political consultancy firm associated with the Trinamool Congress. Its director, Shrabhi Raj Singh, has been summoned in connection with a money laundering and hawala case. Another director, Vinesh Chandel, is already in ED custody and faces allegations of involvement in hawala transactions worth around ₹20 crore, reportedly linked to coal theft proceeds. Despite these developments, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has dismissed allegations of any wrongdoing.
More High-Profile Names Emerge
The investigation continues to widen, bringing several prominent individuals under scrutiny. Former Education Secretary Manish Jain has been called for questioning in connection with the SSC recruitment scam. Businessman Jay S. Kamdar has been arrested for alleged links to gangster Sona Pappu in a hawala network. Fresh raids have also been conducted at properties linked to former minister Partha Chatterjee, while officials such as Sunil Agarwal are also being examined.
Political Clash Escalates
These developments have intensified the political battle in the state. The Trinamool Congress has accused central agencies of targeting the party as part of political vendetta ahead of elections. Meanwhile, the ED maintains that its actions are focused solely on tackling financial crimes and money laundering. With these events unfolding just before the initial phase of polling, the situation has significantly heated up the political atmosphere in West Bengal.