Ex-Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested in alleged Durga Puja pass scam
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Kolkata: Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen has been remanded to 13 days of police custody in connection with an alleged scam involving the sale of Durga Puja tour packages and passes promoted using UNESCO’s recognition of the festival.
Sen, a singer-turned-politician, was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday and produced before a city court the following day. The court granted the police request for custody to facilitate further investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and identify other suspected beneficiaries.
During the hearing, the prosecution alleged that funds collected through the sale of tour packages were transferred to Sen’s bank account on the same day they were deposited into an organisation’s account. It also cited witness statements that allegedly indicated his involvement in the irregularities.
The prosecution said Mass Art Society, an organisation owned by Sen’s wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, had entered into an agreement with UNESCO in 2025. Investigators are examining allegations that Durga Puja tour packages were marketed using the UNESCO association between 2022 and 2025, despite restrictions on commercial use of its logo.
Sen’s lawyer denied the allegations, arguing that he had no role in selling the passes and was not connected to the organisation involved.
Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate are conducting separate investigations into the alleged scam. Police said further questioning was necessary to establish the role of other people who may have benefited from the transactions.
With IANS inputs