The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday conducted searches at premises linked to Kolkata Police Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sinha Biswas and a businessman in connection with a money laundering investigation in West Bengal, PTI quoted unidentified officials as saying.

Searches were carried out at two premises of Biswas, including his home in Ballygunge, South Kolkata, and at one location linked to businessman Joy Kamdar, managing director of Sun Enterprise, in the Behala area.

The action comes at a time when the state is scheduled to hold Assembly polls in two phases on April 23 and April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

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The raids were part of an investigation into a case involving an alleged criminal syndicate linked to Biswajit Podder, also known as Sona Pappu.

Podder, an alleged criminal, is accused in multiple cases, including attempted murder, extortion, rioting, criminal conspiracy and violations of the Arms Act, PTI reported.

He is also wanted in connection with a violent clash near the city’s Golpark area in February. Despite being issued summons by the agency, he has yet to join the investigation, The Indian Express reported.

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At least two persons were injured during the clashes in February. Ten persons have been arrested in connection with the case so far.

Residents have alleged that Podder led more than 100 young persons in an attack to establish control over the area.

Investigators are examining a possible money trail between Podder and Biswas, with unidentified officials claiming that scrutiny of bank accounts revealed “suspicious financial transactions”, the newspaper reported.

The agency had also conducted searches in the case on April 1, during which it seized cash amounting to about Rs 1.47 crore, along with gold and silver valued at over Rs 67 lakh, and a firearm from various premises, PTI reported.