Ex-Bengal tourism minister Indranil Sen arrested in alleged UNESCO-linked Durga Puja pass scam

Ex-Bengal minister Indranil Sen has been arrested in an alleged Rs 50-60 crore financial irregularities case involving MassArt Society, an organisation with which he and his wife were allegedly associated. The ED is probing claims that the society misrepresented its association with UNESCO while collecting money through Durga Puja preview shows and privileged-entry passes between 2022 and 2025.

In Short

• MassArt Society allegedly sold privileged-entry passes between 2022 and 2025
• Investigators allege false UNESCO sponsorship claims despite no commercial agreement
• Madhuchhanda Sen and three office-bearers held key roles in the organisation

Former West Bengal tourism minister Indranil Sen was arrested on Wednesday after being questioned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials for at least four hours. A Kolkata Police team subsequently took him to Lalbazar, the city police headquarters, for further questioning over alleged financial irregularities linked to Durga Puja preview shows and the sale of passes.

The ED and Kolkata Police are separately investigating alleged irregularities involving MassArt Society, an organisation with which Sen and his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, were allegedly associated. The ED's preliminary estimate suggests that the alleged irregularities could involve Rs 50-60 crore.

Sen, who served as tourism and culture minister in the previous Trinamool Congress government, was questioned at the ED office in the CGO Complex in Salt Lake on Wednesday afternoon. The agency had questioned him several times earlier in connection with the case.

Several officers from the Detective Department of Kolkata Police waited outside the ED office before taking Sen to Lalbazar for further questioning.

In June, Kolkata Police registered an FIR against Sen, his wife Madhuchhanda and associates of MassArt Society based on a complaint filed by Jaydeep Mukherjee at Bowbazar police station. The FIR was registered under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The ED subsequently launched a separate investigation.

The case concerns alleged financial irregularities in MassArt Society's management of Durga Puja preview shows. The accused allegedly collected large sums from members of the public between 2022 and 2025 by selling passes promising privileged entry to Durga Puja celebrations. They are accused of presenting the organisation as being sponsored by UNESCO and using the money for personal benefit.

The complainant alleged that the organisation created the impression that it had a direct association with or approval from UNESCO, although no commercial agreement had been signed with the UN body.

MassArt Society was established soon after Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition as intangible cultural heritage in 2021, reported PTI, citing sources. According to the ED, Madhuchhanda Sen is the organisation's president, Dhrubajyoti Bose its secretary, Sayantan Mitra its vice-president and Ranjan Chatterjee its treasurer.

Sen had earlier sought anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court, but the court rejected his plea. He subsequently challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

The ED and Kolkata Police are continuing their respective investigations into the alleged collection and use of money through Durga Puja preview shows and privileged-entry passes.

- Ends
Inputs from PTI