Indranil Sen booked under 7 BNS sections in Durga Puja pass scam
Synopsis
Former West Bengal minister and singer-turned-politician Indranil Sen was arrested in Kolkata on 29 October and booked under seven BNS sections — including forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy — in an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam. Financial irregularities of several crores, allegedly routed through his wife's company Mass Art Society, are said to span three years from 2022 to 2025, with the ED and Kolkata Police running parallel probes.
Key Takeaways
Indranil Sen , former West Bengal minister and singer-turned-politician, was arrested on 29 October 2026 in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam .
Kolkata Police registered a case under 7 sections of the BNS, 2023 , including forgery, cheating, criminal breach of trust, and criminal conspiracy.
Alleged financial irregularities of several crores of rupees reportedly occurred between 2022 and 2025 through Mass Art Society , owned by Sen's wife Madhuchhanda Sen .
Investigators are probing the alleged use of shell companies to divert funds raised in the name of UNESCO and Durga Puja.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kolkata Police are running parallel investigations into the scam.
Kolkata Police have registered a case under seven sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, against former West Bengal minister and singer-turned-politician Indranil Sen, who was arrested on Wednesday, 29 October 2026, in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam tied to UNESCO-tagged festival tours. The arrest came shortly after Sen emerged from the Enforcement Directorate (ED)'s Salt Lake office in northern Kolkata, where he had undergone prolonged questioning by central agency officials.
The Charges Against Indranil Sen
A senior city police official confirmed that the charges levelled against Sen span a range of serious criminal provisions. These include Section 316 (criminal breach of trust), Sections 336(2) and 336(3) (forgery and forgery for cheating), Section 338 (forgery of valuable security and other specified documents), Section 318 (cheating), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), and Section 340(2) (using a forged document or electronic record as genuine).
How the Alleged Scam Unfolded
According to preliminary findings, financial irregularities allegedly involving several crores of rupees took place between 2022 and 2025, purportedly conducted in the name of UNESCO and Durga Puja celebrations through Mass Art Society, a corporate entity reportedly owned by Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, police sources said. Investigators have also found indications that the former minister allegedly withdrew substantial sums from various organisations by leveraging his political influence, according to the same sources.
'Our sleuths are currently examining other angles in this massive financial forgery, including the floating and use of shell companies to divert funds,' a city police official said. The allegations are part of an ongoing investigation, and their veracity is yet to be established.
Arrest and Interrogation at Lalbazar
Following his arrest on Wednesday evening, Sen was taken to the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar in central Kolkata, where investigators questioned him on the basis of documents seized during the probe. The interrogation reportedly continued until late at night. Police sources claimed that Sen repeatedly attempted to evade certain questions or gave inconsistent answers during the session — though these remain allegations at this stage.
Parallel Probe by ED and Kolkata Police
The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam, which centres on the misuse of passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours. Investigators are examining alleged financial transactions, the role of organisations involved, and the possible routing of funds through shell companies. The probe is also seeking to establish whether other individuals or entities were complicit in the alleged irregularities. This comes amid a broader pattern of scrutiny of political figures in West Bengal linked to financial misconduct in public events and schemes.
Point of View
Where public festivals and government-linked events have increasingly become targets of scrutiny. What makes this case notable is the alleged misuse of the UNESCO brand — a credibility shorthand that, investigators claim, was leveraged to extract funds from organisations. The parallel ED and Kolkata Police probes raise questions about inter-agency coordination, especially since Sen was arrested by the city police immediately after leaving the ED office. If the shell-company trail leads further up the political or bureaucratic hierarchy, this could escalate well beyond a single minister's financial dealings.
NationPress
29 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Indranil Sen arrested?
Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on 29 October 2026 in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam, in which financial irregularities of several crores are alleged to have occurred between 2022 and 2025 through his wife's company, Mass Art Society. He was booked under seven sections of the BNS, 2023, including forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy.
What are the BNS sections under which Indranil Sen has been charged?
Sen has been charged under Section 316 (criminal breach of trust), Sections 336(2) and 336(3) (forgery and forgery for cheating), Section 338 (forgery of valuable security), Section 318 (cheating), Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), and Section 340(2) (using a forged document as genuine) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
What is the alleged Durga Puja pass scam?
The scam allegedly involves the fraudulent issuance of passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours and the misuse of the UNESCO name to solicit funds from organisations. Police claim irregularities spanning several crores of rupees were routed through Mass Art Society, a corporate entity owned by Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, between 2022 and 2025.
Is the Enforcement Directorate also investigating Indranil Sen?
Yes, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting a parallel investigation into the alleged scam alongside Kolkata Police. Sen was arrested by city police shortly after he stepped out of the ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata, where he had been questioned at length earlier on the same day.
What happens next in the investigation?
Kolkata Police and the ED are continuing to examine alleged financial transactions, the role of linked organisations, and the possible use of shell companies to divert funds. Investigators are also probing whether other individuals or entities were involved. The veracity of all allegations is yet to be established in court.
