Kolkata SIT probing ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen expanded to 9 officers
Synopsis
The SIT probing former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen has nearly doubled in size — from five to nine officers — as investigators reportedly zero in on tendering irregularities in two state departments, well beyond the original fake Durga Puja pass case. With his wife already questioned and a court date set for 10 November, the case is expanding fast.
Key Takeaways
The Kolkata Police SIT probing former minister Indranil Sen has been expanded from 5 to 9 members , with 4 new anti-forgery specialists added.
Investigators have reportedly found clues about Sen's alleged involvement in tendering irregularities in the state Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs departments.
Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen , owner of 'Mass Art' , is the most significant of 9 individuals questioned by the SIT.
Sen is currently in police custody and faces daily marathon questioning sessions.
He is scheduled to appear before a Kolkata lower court on 10 November 2026 ; the SIT is racing to build evidence ahead of that hearing.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Kolkata Police are conducting parallel investigations into the alleged multi-crore scam.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police probing former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen has been expanded from five to nine members, with four new anti-forgery specialists added to the team, according to a city police insider. The expansion comes as investigators have reportedly uncovered clues pointing to Sen's alleged involvement beyond the original multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours.
Why the SIT Was Expanded
When the SIT was initially constituted, it comprised five officers. The four newly inducted officers are described as experts in anti-forgery operations. According to the insider, the team's growth reflects a widening scope of inquiry: investigating officers have reportedly found specific clues suggesting Sen's involvement in tendering irregularities within both the state's Tourism Department and the Information and Cultural Affairs Department.
The SIT members are currently in contact with both state government departments to procure documents necessary to advance the investigation against Sen, a singer-turned-politician who served as a former Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs.
Key Witnesses and Custodial Questioning
Sen, who is currently in police custody, is being questioned by investigators for marathon sessions daily. The SIT has also questioned nine other individuals in connection with the matter. The most significant among them, according to the insider, is his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, owner of 'Mass Art' — the entity through which the fake Durga Puja passes were allegedly sold to tourists visiting the UNESCO-tagged festival.
Court Appearance and Bail Concerns
Sen is scheduled to appear before a lower court in Kolkata on 10 November 2026. The city police insider indicated that the SIT is working intensively before that date to compile as much evidence-based material as possible, with the stated aim of opposing bail for the former minister at the hearing.
Parallel Investigations by ED and Kolkata Police
The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam. Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police after he stepped out of the ED's Salt Lake office — located on the northern outskirts of Kolkata — last week. This comes amid a broader scrutiny of alleged irregularities in West Bengal's festival tourism sector, which has drawn significant public attention given the UNESCO recognition of Kolkata's Durga Puja. The next critical milestone will be the 10 November court hearing, which is expected to determine whether Sen remains in custody as the investigation deepens.
Point of View
Investigators say they have found tendering irregularities, which suggests either prior intelligence existed or the custodial questioning has been unusually productive. The parallel ED and Kolkata Police tracks are also worth watching; historically, when both agencies investigate simultaneously, jurisdictional friction can either accelerate or complicate accountability. The 10 November court date will be the first real test of whether the police have built a case strong enough to withstand bail, and the outcome will shape the trajectory of what could become one of the more consequential political corruption cases in West Bengal in recent years.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Indranil Sen fake Durga Puja pass case?
The case involves alleged sale of fake passes for tours of Kolkata's UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja festivities, reportedly channelled through an entity called 'Mass Art' owned by Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen. Former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen is accused of involvement in the multi-crore scam, which is being investigated by both the Kolkata Police SIT and the Enforcement Directorate.
Why has the Kolkata Police SIT been expanded?
The SIT was expanded from five to nine members because investigators reportedly found clues suggesting Indranil Sen's alleged involvement in tendering irregularities in the state Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs departments, widening the scope beyond the original fake Durga Puja pass case. The four new officers are specialists in anti-forgery operations.
Who else has been questioned in the case?
Apart from Indranil Sen, the SIT has questioned nine other individuals. The most significant is his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, who owns 'Mass Art', the entity through which the fake Durga Puja passes were allegedly sold.
When will Indranil Sen appear in court?
Sen is scheduled to be presented before a lower court in Kolkata on 10 November 2026. The SIT is reportedly working to gather as much evidence as possible before that date to oppose bail for the former minister.
What role is the Enforcement Directorate playing in this case?
The Enforcement Directorate is conducting a parallel investigation into the alleged scam alongside the Kolkata Police SIT. Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police after he exited the ED's Salt Lake office last week, suggesting coordination between both agencies on the broader inquiry.
