West Bengal Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh on Tuesday, 29 September declared zero tolerance for corruption carried out under the guise of Durga Puja activities, hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided 15 premises linked to former state minister Indranil Sen and others in a money laundering probe in Kolkata.

Minister's Warning and What Triggered It

Speaking to reporters in Midnapore, Ghosh said, 'There is no tolerance for corruption, whoever it may be, and no one can act arbitrarily. As soon as a complaint is received, immediate action will be taken. It has already started — collecting money in the name of Durga Puja and engaging in such activities is illegal. The government is taking measures against it.'

The remarks came directly in the wake of the ED's Tuesday morning operation, which targeted premises connected to alleged financial irregularities involving an organisation that ran Durga Puja preview shows.

The ED Raids: What Is Alleged

According to officials, the organisation at the centre of the probe — Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, reportedly led by Indranil Sen's wife — allegedly collected large sums from the public by falsely claiming the money was raised for a UNESCO-sponsored entity. The funds were allegedly diverted for personal use rather than any cultural or charitable purpose.

The ED's sweep across 15 locations marks one of the more significant enforcement actions tied to alleged misuse of a major religious and cultural festival. Notably, this follows a broader pattern of scrutiny into financial irregularities linked to public events in West Bengal.

Ghosh on Election Commission's SIR Exercise

Separately, the minister pushed back against suggestions of public discontent over the Election Commission of India's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in the state. 'SIR has taken place and the process is still ongoing. It will gradually become clear. But the election has already taken place, and there is no frustration among the people regarding it,' he said.

Ghosh further asserted that voter turnout improved and that the Opposition's criticism amounted to little more than post-defeat grievance. 'People cast their votes, the voting percentage increased and a good result was achieved. The Opposition lost, so they have nothing to say,' he said.

Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee's Security Row

Ghosh also commented on Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee's move to approach the Calcutta High Court seeking restoration of his Z-plus security. The minister was unequivocal: 'No one needs Z-plus security in Bengal, so why should Z-plus security be given? If there is a corruption case against someone and it is being heard in court, giving them Z-plus security would amount to insulting our administration.'

The remarks add a political dimension to what is formally a security and legal matter, signalling continued friction between Ghosh's position and the ruling TMC leadership in the state.

What Comes Next

The ED investigation into the alleged Durga Puja fund misuse is expected to continue, with officials likely to examine financial records seized during the raids. Any further arrests or charge sheets in the money laundering case will be closely watched, particularly given the proximity to the Durga Puja season.