In a high-voltage operation ahead of the 2026 Assembly Elections, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted simultaneous raids across Kolkata on Wednesday, recovering ₹1.20 crore in hard cash. The massive haul, consisting entirely of ₹500 notes, was seized from the Behala residence of Joy S. Kamdar, the Managing Director of a private firm. Investigators are currently tracing the source of this wealth and its potential link to election funding or money laundering.

The raids also targeted notorious businessman Biswajit Poddar, alias ‘Sona Pappu’, in Kasba and Ballygunge. ED officials reportedly recovered illegal firearms from Sona Pappu’s premises. According to the agency, Pappu faces over 15 FIRs related to massive extortion from builders in south Kolkata. Following these allegations, the ED filed an ECIR to investigate financial crimes. The search extended to multiple locations, including Picnic Garden and Fern Road, under heavy security by central forces. As the state gears up for polls, this crackdown on alleged extortionists and money launderers has sent shockwaves through the city’s political and business circles, with the ED hinting at further significant revelations.