ED raids 10 locations linked to ex-Bengal minister Indranil Sen in ₹60 crore UNESCO scam
Synopsis
The ED swooped on 10 Kolkata addresses on Tuesday morning, targeting ex-West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen and his wife over an alleged ₹60 crore scam in which an organisation they are linked to reportedly sold fake Durga Puja preview passes — fraudulently invoking UNESCO's name to charge up to ₹5,499 per ticket. Registrations allegedly ballooned from 19,000 in 2022 to 61,000 in 2024.
Key Takeaways
The ED raided 10 locations in Kolkata on 29 September 2026 , including the residence of former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen in Kasba, South Kolkata .
Sen and his wife Madhuchhanda Sen are accused of misusing the UNESCO name and logo to sell fake Durga Puja preview passes through an entity called 'Mass Art' .
The alleged financial irregularity is initially estimated at around ₹60 crore .
Passes were reportedly priced between ₹1,749 and ₹5,499 , with registrations rising from 19,000 (2022) to 34,000 (2023) to 61,000 (2024) .
A complaint was filed at Bowbazar Police Station in June 2026 by Joydeep Mukherjee on behalf of the international organisation.
The Kolkata Police initiated the probe; the ED later joined to investigate the money laundering angle under PMLA .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday, 29 September 2026, launched simultaneous raids at 10 locations across Kolkata in connection with a money laundering case against former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen, a singer-turned-politician, and his wife Madhuchhanda Sen. The couple face allegations of illegally selling pre-Durga Puja tickets by fraudulently misusing the UNESCO name and logo, with initial estimates placing the financial irregularity at around ₹60 crore.
Where the Raids Were Conducted
A team of ED officials reached Indranil Sen's residence in Kasba, South Kolkata, early in the morning. Simultaneously, other teams fanned out across multiple addresses, including Hindustan Park and Highland Park, among others. The agencies searched the homes of the former minister's relatives as well as the residence of a businessman associated with event management in Highland Park.
The Alleged Fraud: Fake Passes and a False UNESCO Tag
According to sources aware of the development, an organisation called 'Mass Art' — in which Madhuchhanda Sen is also involved — was floated within six months of Kolkata's Durga Puja receiving UNESCO recognition in 2021. The entity allegedly claimed to be UNESCO's 'official partner' in promoting the festival, a claim described as false by investigators.
The organisation reportedly sold 'fake passes' for approximately 24 Durga Puja preview shows at high prices — ranging from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499 per pass — using UNESCO's name and logo without permission to lend the scheme credibility. It also allegedly claimed that UNESCO had officially selected those 24 puja mandaps, a claim for which no corroboration has been found so far, according to sources.
Scale of the Alleged Scam
Initial investigation data points to a rapidly expanding operation. Around 19,000 people registered for these passes in 2022; that figure rose to 34,000 in 2023; and nearly 61,000 in 2024, indicating a significant year-on-year growth in alleged fraudulent ticket sales. Money is alleged to have been embezzled through these preview-show pass collections.
Background: Complaint, Police Probe and ED Entry
A formal complaint was filed at Bowbazar Police Station in June 2026 by Joydeep Mukherjee on behalf of the international organisation, naming Indranil Sen, his wife Madhuchhanda Sen, and the entity 'Mass Art'. While the Kolkata Police initiated the original investigation, the ED subsequently stepped in to probe the money laundering angle — a standard Central agency escalation when financial crimes cross a threshold requiring the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) lens.
Notably, this case sits against a broader backdrop of scrutiny over alleged financial irregularities tied to ruling-party-affiliated figures in West Bengal, a pattern that has drawn repeated Central agency attention in recent years.
What Happens Next
The ED is expected to record statements and seize documents and digital devices from the raided premises. Depending on the outcome, formal arrests or asset attachment orders under the PMLA could follow. The case could intensify political pressures on the Trinamool Congress (TMC), of which Indranil Sen is a member, ahead of future electoral cycles in the state.
Point of View
A dynamic that is as much political theatre as it is law enforcement. What distinguishes this case, however, is the alleged exploitation of a UNESCO cultural heritage designation — a tag that carries genuine soft-power value for Kolkata — to run what investigators describe as a ticketing racket. If the ₹60 crore estimate holds, the scale is significant. But the more damaging accusation is the reputational one: that public trust in the UNESCO Durga Puja brand was monetised for private gain. The ballooning registration numbers — tripling from 19,000 to 61,000 in just two years — suggest either a well-marketed fraud or a warning sign that went unaddressed for too long.
NationPress
29 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED raid former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen?
The ED raided Indranil Sen's residence and 10 linked locations in Kolkata on 29 September 2026 as part of a money laundering investigation into the alleged fraudulent sale of Durga Puja preview passes using the UNESCO name without permission. The estimated financial irregularity is around ₹60 crore.
What is the UNESCO Durga Puja ticket scam?
An entity called 'Mass Art', linked to Indranil Sen and his wife Madhuchhanda Sen, allegedly claimed to be UNESCO's official partner for Kolkata's Durga Puja and sold passes for 24 preview shows at prices ranging from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499, using UNESCO's name and logo without authorisation. Investigators say the claim of UNESCO selecting those 24 puja mandaps has not been substantiated.
Who filed the complaint against Indranil Sen?
A complaint was filed at Bowbazar Police Station in June 2026 by Joydeep Mukherjee on behalf of the international organisation. The complaint named Indranil Sen, Madhuchhanda Sen, and the organisation 'Mass Art'.
How large is the alleged scam involving the fake Durga Puja passes?
Initial estimates place the financial irregularity at around ₹60 crore. Registrations for the passes reportedly grew from 19,000 in 2022 to 34,000 in 2023 and 61,000 in 2024, suggesting a rapidly expanding operation over three consecutive Durga Puja seasons.
What happens next in the ED investigation?
Following the raids, the ED is expected to record statements and seize documents and digital devices. Depending on findings, formal arrests or asset attachment orders under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) could follow. The Kolkata Police had initiated the original probe before the ED took up the money laundering angle.
