Kolkata, May 18 (IANS). The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday arrested Vishwajeet Poddar alias Sona Pappu in a financial fraud and extortion case.
Sona Pappu was in the news for many reasons before the assembly elections. He was accused of being involved in many illegal activities, but he was absconding for a long time. However, on Monday he himself reached the ED office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake.
After about nine hours of interrogation from morning till night, ED arrested him in the case of financial fraud and extortion.
Pappu’s name also came up in the clash that took place in Ravindra Sarovar police station area last February.
Local people alleged that Vishwajeet Poddar was behind this clash. His associates were accused of rioting and sabotage. Although the police had arrested many people in the case, Pappu could not be traced. The police were continuously searching for his whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Pappu had gone live on Facebook several times and claimed that he had no connection with the violence.
When Pappu was absconding, ED suddenly raided his house in April. At the same time, the house of businessman Joy Kamdar was also searched.
During this action, apart from cash, an expensive car and many property related documents were seized.
According to ED sources, a foreign pistol was also recovered from Pappu’s house.
It was told that this foreign pistol was purchased through businessman Joy Kamdar. Later the pistol was deposited in Gariahat police station.
Pappu also faces many allegations of extortion. According to ED sources, several FIRs are registered against him.
Cases have also been registered against him under extortion, intimidation and Arms Act. On the basis of these allegations, ED had started investigation.
In this case, the Central Investigation Agency has already arrested Behala businessman Joy Kamdar.
On the basis of this case, last month ED had also raided the house of Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas on Fern Road.
Shantanu Sinha Biswas was first interrogated at the police station. Later the ED also interrogated him and then arrested him.
Since Sona Pappu was absconding for a long time, the investigating agencies suspected that he was hiding in some other state.
However, on Monday he suddenly reached the ED office in Salt Lake. His wife was also with him. After a long interrogation since morning, the Central Investigation Agency arrested him.
ED had sent him several notices earlier also, but he avoided appearing every time.
On Monday, he himself reached the ED office without any new notice.
According to ED sources, he has been arrested for not cooperating in the investigation.
–IANS
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