Former Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested in Rs 60 crore Durga Puja pass case

Former West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday in connection with alleged financial irregularities involving the sale of Durga Puja preview passes, shortly after he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for questioning in a related money-laundering investigation.

Sen, who served as tourism minister and minister of state for information and cultural affairs in the previous TMC government, was taken into custody after leaving the ED's office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake. Police subsequently took him to Lalbazar, the headquarters of Kolkata Police, for further questioning.

The investigation centres on Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, popularly known as massArt, an organisation associated with Sen and headed by his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen. Investigators are examining allegations that the organisation collected between Rs 50 crore and Rs 60 crore through Durga Puja preview programmes and privileged-entry passes by falsely claiming an association with UNESCO.

𝗔𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗗 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴

Sen appeared before ED officials on Wednesday afternoon with documents relating to the financial transactions under investigation. He had previously been questioned several times in connection with the case.

Police personnel were stationed outside the central agency's office during the questioning. After Sen emerged from the building, officers took him into custody in connection with the case registered at Bowbazar police station.

According to police sources cited in media reports, the former minister was arrested following allegations that he had not been cooperating with the investigation. The Kolkata Police investigation and the ED's proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act are separate but arise from the same allegations.

𝗥𝘀 𝟱𝟬-𝟲𝟬 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘆

The allegations concern the organisation of special Durga Puja preview shows that allowed ticket holders to visit selected pandals before the main festivities.

Investigators suspect that massArt collected substantial sums from members of the public between 2022 and 2025 by marketing privileged-entry passes and presenting itself as an organisation associated with UNESCO.

The ED has alleged that money collected through these programmes was diverted for personal benefit rather than being used for the stated purposes.

According to the agency, more than one lakh tickets were issued during 2023 and 2024, with prices reportedly ranging from Rs 1,749 to Rs 5,499.

Investigators are examining the organisation's accounts, cash withdrawals and expenditure records to establish how the proceeds were used.

𝗨𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗱

The controversy centres partly on allegations that massArt used UNESCO's name and logo to promote its Durga Puja programmes without authorisation.

UNESCO inscribed Durga Puja in Kolkata on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2021. The recognition, however, did not constitute approval of commercial ticketing arrangements organised by private entities.

The complainant, Joydeep Mukherjee, alleged that the organisation created a misleading impression of an official partnership with UNESCO while selling expensive passes.

An FIR was registered at Bowbazar police station in June against Sen, his wife and other office-bearers of the organisation. The allegations included cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery and criminal conspiracy.

The ED subsequently initiated its money-laundering investigation on the basis of the police case.

𝗘𝗗 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The central agency has also examined financial transactions involving Sen's proprietorship concern, Octave Records.

According to the ED, more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into accounts associated with Sen and the concern during his tenure.

Investigators also identified transfers totalling nearly Rs 30 lakh from Octave Records to former West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee through banking channels.

Sen reportedly described the transfers as royalty payments. The ED has not specified the purpose of those payments or alleged criminal wrongdoing in connection with the transactions.

Earlier, on September 29, the agency conducted searches at multiple premises linked to Sen and his associates, including properties in Kolkata and Hooghly district, as part of efforts to trace the movement of funds.

𝗕𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱

Sen had earlier approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the case, but his plea was rejected. He subsequently challenged the decision before the Supreme Court.

The latest arrest marks a significant development in the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities surrounding Durga Puja preview programmes.

Investigators are continuing to examine the roles of the organisation's office-bearers, the money collected through ticket sales and the eventual use of those funds. The allegations against Sen and the other accused remain subject to judicial determination.