Kolkata: Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday after appearing before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with an alleged financial irregularities case linked to Durga Puja preview shows and the sale of privileged entry passes.

The investigation centres on the Mass Art Society, an organisation headed by Sen’s wife, Madhuchhanda Sen. The ED is investigating allegations that the organisation collected between ₹50 crore and ₹60 crore from the public between 2022 and 2025 by allegedly claiming a connection with a UNESCO-sponsored entity to sell passes for privileged entry and preview shows at Durga Puja pandals.

 

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Sen, who served as tourism and culture minister in the previous Trinamool Congress government, appeared at the ED office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake, Kolkata, on Wednesday afternoon with documents. He had reportedly been questioned several times earlier in connection with the case.

According to the ED, the organisation allegedly created the impression that it had a direct association with or approval from UNESCO, despite there being no such commercial agreement. The agency is also examining allegations that funds collected through the sale of passes were subsequently used for personal gains.

The Mass Art Society was reportedly established after Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage in 2021. The organisation’s office-bearers include Madhuchhanda Sen as president, Dhrubajyoti Bose as secretary, Sayantan Mitra as vice-president and Ranjan Chatterjee as treasurer, according to the ED.

The case began with a complaint filed by Jaideep Mukherjee at Kolkata’s Bowbazar police station. Following the registration of an FIR, the ED launched its own investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The agency had previously conducted searches at locations linked to Sen, including his residence in Kasba and his garden house in Singur, Hooghly district. Sen had also approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail, but his plea was rejected. He subsequently challenged the order in the Supreme Court.

The allegations remain subject to investigation. The reported amount of ₹50 crore to ₹60 crore represents the ED’s preliminary estimate of the alleged financial irregularities.

What is the Durga Puja ticket scam case?

The investigation concerns the alleged collection of money for privileged entry to Durga Puja celebrations and preview shows. The central question is whether the Mass Art Society misrepresented its association with UNESCO to attract payments from the public and whether the money was used for purposes other than those represented to buyers.

Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition as an intangible cultural heritage in 2021. That recognition does not, by itself, establish that a private organisation is authorised by UNESCO to sell commercial passes or organise exclusive access to celebrations.

The case involves allegations of financial irregularities and possible money laundering. The ED’s investigation is separate from the police case arising from the original complaint. The arrest reported on Wednesday marks a further development in the proceedings, but it does not establish guilt. The allegations will need to be assessed through the legal process.