Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and former state Cabinet Minister Indranil Sen have been named by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering investigation centred on Sen's proprietorship firm Octave Records — a case separate from the ongoing 'Mass Art' probe. The development, disclosed in an ED statement on Thursday, 1 October 2026, adds a significant dimension to the agency's widening scrutiny of financial dealings linked to the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government in the state.

What the ED Statement Alleges

According to the ED, during Indranil Sen's tenure as West Bengal Tourism Minister under the Mamata Banerjee-led government, multiple tenders worth more than ₹85 crore from the state's tourism and cultural departments were awarded to entities owned by Dhrubajyoti Bose and Dipesh Roy — both described by the agency as close aides of Sen. The ED further stated that these entities subsequently transferred large sums to firms controlled by relatives of Sen.

'These entities subsequently transferred large sums of money to entities controlled by relatives of Indranil Sen. Furthermore, massive cash withdrawals have been observed from the bank accounts of the entities that secured these tenders,' the ED statement said.

The ₹30 Lakh Transfer to Mamata Banerjee

The agency's statement further claimed that more than ₹3.3 crore in cash was deposited into the bank accounts of Sen and his firm Octave Records. Critically, it alleged that a sum of nearly ₹30 lakh was transferred from Octave Records' bank account to Mamata Banerjee, then serving as Chief Minister. 'From the bank account of Octave Records, a sum of nearly ₹30 lakh was transferred via banking channels to Mamata Banerjee, the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, which Indranil Sen has claimed was paid in the form of royalty,' the ED statement added.

The agency said incriminating digital devices and documentary evidence were recovered during search and seizure proceedings. 'Further investigation is under progress,' the statement noted.

The Parallel 'Mass Art' Investigation

This case runs alongside a separate ED probe into Mass Art, which is accused of selling Durga Puja Preview Show Passes in 2024 and 2025. Sen is already under the ED's scanner in that matter. On Tuesday, ED officials conducted an extensive raid at Sen's residence and that of his wife Madhuchhanda Sen at Kasba in South Kolkata. On Wednesday, the singer-turned-politician was questioned for approximately 10 hours at the ED's Salt Lake office. He was subsequently served a fresh notice on Thursday, asking him to appear at the same office next week for another round of questioning in the Mass Art case.

No Response from TMC or Sen

Notably, there was no official reaction from the faction of the Trinamool Congress still loyal to Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Sen himself remained incommunicado, and his response to the latest allegations was not available at the time of reporting. This silence comes at a politically sensitive juncture, as the allegations directly implicate West Bengal's longest-serving chief minister in a financial transaction under central agency scrutiny.

What Happens Next

The ED has stated that its investigation is continuing. The naming of Mamata Banerjee in an agency statement — even if not yet as an accused — is a significant escalation and is likely to intensify political friction between the TMC and the Centre. Legal observers note that being named in an ED statement is distinct from being formally chargesheeted, though it typically precedes closer scrutiny. All eyes are now on the agency's next procedural steps and whether a formal notice or summons follows.