ED summons Indranil Sen again in ₹60 crore Durga Puja fraud probe
Synopsis
A former West Bengal Tourism Minister is at the centre of a rapidly expanding ED probe — second summons in as many days, ₹60 crore allegedly siphoned via fake Durga Puja passes that misused UNESCO's name, and a registered buyer list that ballooned from 19,000 to 61,000 in just two years.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate issued a second summons to former minister Indranil Sen on 1 October 2026 for interrogation next week at its Salt Lake, Kolkata office.
Sen was already questioned for a 10-hour session on Wednesday; ED raids covered 10 locations in Kolkata on Tuesday.
The alleged fraud involves sale of fake Durga Puja 'preview show' passes misusing the UNESCO name and logo, with an estimated ₹60 crore misappropriated.
Pass prices reportedly ranged from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499 for access to 24 selected pandals.
Registered buyers grew from 19,000 in 2022 to 61,000 in 2024 — a cumulative 1.14 lakh people.
Indranil Sen has denied all allegations; the probe was triggered by a complaint at Bowbazar Police Station in June.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, 1 October 2026, issued a fresh summons to former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen, directing him to appear for a second round of interrogation at the ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata next week, in connection with a money laundering case tied to an alleged ₹60 crore Durga Puja pass fraud that reportedly exploited the UNESCO heritage tag.
Second Summons After 10-Hour Grilling
The fresh notice follows an exhaustive 10-hour interrogation of Sen on Wednesday at the same Salt Lake office. Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, ED teams carried out raids and search operations at Sen's residence in Kasba, south Kolkata, as well as at nine other locations across the city — including the homes of his relatives and the residence of event manager Arijit Dasgupta.
Assets and Bank Accounts Under Scanner
The financial assets, properties, and bank accounts of both Indranil Sen and his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, are currently under scrutiny by ED investigators. According to reports, the probe centres on the alleged sale of 'fake passes' in the name of Durga Puja tours that misused the UNESCO name and logo. The estimated amount allegedly misappropriated stands at around ₹60 crore.
The UNESCO Tag and 'Mass Art' Connection
UNESCO formally recognised Kolkata's Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021. Following that recognition, an organisation called 'Mass Art' emerged, claiming to be UNESCO's 'official partner'. The organisation began marketing Durga Puja parikrama tours and selling entry passes for 'preview shows' of selected pandals. Madhuchhanda Sen was reportedly closely associated with Mass Art.
Passes for approximately 24 Durga Puja preview shows were allegedly sold at prices ranging from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499. Mass Art reportedly claimed that UNESCO had specifically selected those 24 puja pandals, though sources familiar with the investigation say no evidence supporting that claim has been found so far.
Scale of Alleged Fraud: 1.14 Lakh Registered
The scale of the alleged scheme appears to have grown steadily over three years. An initial investigation found that around 19,000 people registered to receive these passes in 2022, rising to 34,000 in 2023, and jumping to 61,000 in 2024. The entity had reportedly also advertised preview shows for the forthcoming Durga Puja 2026 season, but those plans were abruptly cancelled after the ED launched its investigation.
Background and Denials
The ED initiated the money laundering probe based on a complaint filed by Joydeep Mukherjee, an alleged fraud victim, at Bowbazar Police Station in June. Sen, a singer-turned-politician and former minister in the West Bengal government, has denied all allegations since the outset. This is the Nth such case to emerge from the intersection of cultural tourism branding and political networks in Bengal. How the investigation proceeds — and whether formal arrests follow — will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ED summoned Indranil Sen again?
The ED issued a fresh summons to former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen on 1 October 2026 for a second interrogation session next week at its Salt Lake office in Kolkata, as part of a money laundering investigation into the alleged sale of fake Durga Puja passes worth around ₹60 crore. He had already been questioned for 10 hours on Wednesday.
What is the Durga Puja fake pass fraud case?
The case involves an organisation called 'Mass Art' that allegedly sold fake entry passes for Durga Puja 'preview shows' by misusing the UNESCO name and logo, following UNESCO's 2021 recognition of Kolkata's Durga Puja. Passes were reportedly priced between ₹1,749 and ₹5,499, and around ₹60 crore is estimated to have been misappropriated.
Who else is under investigation in this case?
Apart from Indranil Sen, his wife Madhuchhanda Sen — who was reportedly closely associated with 'Mass Art' — and event manager Arijit Dasgupta are under scrutiny. The assets, properties, and bank accounts of both Indranil and Madhuchhanda Sen are being examined by the ED.
How many people were affected by the alleged fraud?
An initial investigation found that approximately 19,000 people registered for passes in 2022, 34,000 in 2023, and 61,000 in 2024 — a cumulative total of about 1.14 lakh registered buyers over three years.
Has Indranil Sen responded to the allegations?
Yes. Indranil Sen has denied all the allegations since the case came to light. The ED's probe was initiated based on a fraud complaint lodged by Joydeep Mukherjee at Bowbazar Police Station in June.
