Kolkata Police on Monday summoned Avery Sen, daughter of arrested former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen, for questioning in connection with alleged financial irregularities in the sale of Durga Puja preview passes and the unauthorised use of UNESCO's name and logo, an official said.
The notice directed Avery to appear before investigators on Monday itself, as the Special Investigation Team (SIT) expanded its probe into financial transactions involving organisations and companies allegedly associated with the former minister.
Indranil Sen was arrested last week over allegations of financial irregularities in organising Durga Puja preview shows and selling passes for the events. His wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, was questioned by the SIT two days ago.
The Enforcement Directorate has also questioned the former minister several times in connection with financial transactions linked to the case.
๐ฅ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฎ.๐ฐ๐ณ ๐น๐ฎ๐ธ๐ต ๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ
A Kolkata Police officer said investigators suspected that Avery might have links to the alleged financial irregularities after identifying substantial transactions in accounts associated with her.
"Our officers suspect that Avery Sen may have links to the alleged financial irregularities. Substantial transactions have been traced in accounts linked to her. The former minister's daughter has been asked to appear before investigators to explain the nature of these transactions," the officer said.
According to investigators, Third Line Creation, a company allegedly close to Indranil Sen, transferred Rs 66 lakh to Mass Art Society, an organisation associated with the Durga Puja preview events.
Of this amount, approximately Rs 22.47 lakh was reportedly transferred to two companies, iScape and Mayra, which investigators suspect were controlled by Avery.
Police are examining the purpose of these transactions, the relationships between the entities involved and whether the transfers were connected to proceeds generated through the sale of preview passes.
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐บ๐ถ๐ป๐ถ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ'๐ ๐๐ถ๐ณ๐ฒ ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ
Madhuchhanda Sen, who headed Mass Art, was questioned about her responsibilities in the organisation and the alleged use of UNESCO's logo in promoting the preview shows.
Investigators also sought information about her signatures on official documents and her involvement in the organisation's financial and administrative affairs.
According to sources, Mass Art Society was established shortly after UNESCO recognised Durga Puja in Kolkata as part of humanity's intangible cultural heritage in 2021.
Police are examining whether the organisation used the international recognition to attract Durga Puja committees to its events and promote the sale of preview passes without proper authorisation.
The SIT is also scrutinising transactions involving other companies allegedly linked to the former minister.
"Our officers are also examining the financial transactions between companies allegedly linked to the former minister," the police officer said.
๐ฃ๐๐ท๐ฎ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐
During the investigation, several Durga Puja organisers reportedly told police that they agreed to participate in the preview shows after representatives displayed the UNESCO logo.
Investigators said employees of Mass Art allegedly approached puja committees and coordinated arrangements for the events.
The organisers were reportedly offered modest payments and opportunities to install LED gates at their pandals.
According to the police officer, payments ranging from Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh were allegedly made in connection with these gates, rather than the installation being used for conventional advertising.
Investigators are examining whether the payments made to participating organisers were disproportionately small compared with the revenue allegedly generated through preview pass sales.
"Detectives are examining whether the amounts paid to the puja organisers were disproportionately low compared with the money allegedly generated through the sale of preview passes," the officer said.
๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐ผ ๐พ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐
Police said the SIT was examining the roles of employees associated with three companies allegedly connected to Indranil Sen.
These individuals are likely to be summoned to help investigators reconstruct the movement of funds and determine the responsibilities of those involved in organising the events and handling financial transactions.
The investigation is focused on the alleged misuse of UNESCO branding, the financial arrangements surrounding Durga Puja preview shows and the transfer of money between entities linked to the former minister and his family.
Police have not announced any findings establishing Avery Sen's involvement in wrongdoing. Her role remains under investigation, with the summons intended to seek clarification about the transactions identified by the SIT.