Indranil Sen moves SC for anticipatory bail in ED money laundering case
Synopsis
Days after the Calcutta High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea, former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen has rushed to the Supreme Court fearing arrest in a ₹60 crore ED money laundering case. The case has drawn in the name of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee via an alleged ₹30 lakh royalty payment, turning a financial fraud inquiry into a politically charged standoff.
Key Takeaways
Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Supreme Court on 17 October 2026 , fearing arrest in an ED money laundering case.
The Calcutta High Court rejected his earlier anticipatory bail plea on 15 October before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh .
Sen and wife Madhuchanda Sen are accused of alleged irregularities involving fake Durga Puja tour passes using the UNESCO tag; the transaction amount is estimated at ₹60 crore .
The ED has named former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with an alleged ₹30 lakh transfer from Sen-owned Octave Records ; Sen calls it a royalty payment.
A separate judicial inquiry commission is probing alleged multi-crore tendering irregularities in the state's Information and Cultural Affairs Department under Sen's watch.
The Supreme Court is closed next week; the anticipatory bail hearing is expected once the court reconvenes.
Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen approached the Supreme Court on Saturday, 17 October 2026, seeking anticipatory bail in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The move came days after a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court rejected a similar plea, leaving the singer-turned-politician facing the prospect of imminent arrest.
Background to the Case
Sen and his wife, Madhuchanda Sen, are accused of alleged irregularities involving the sale of counterfeit passes for Durga Puja tours bearing the UNESCO tag. The amount involved in the alleged transactions was initially estimated at around ₹60 crore. The Kolkata Police first took up the matter following a complaint lodged at Bowbazar Police Station, after which the ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and launched a parallel investigation.
Court Proceedings So Far
Sen's anticipatory bail application came before Justice Tirthankar Ghosh of the Calcutta High Court on 15 October. The bench rejected the plea outright. With the Supreme Court closed for the week ahead, the matter is expected to be listed for hearing when the apex court reconvenes. Legal observers note that the timeline could leave Sen in a vulnerable position if the ED decides to move for arrest before that date.
The Mamata Banerjee Link
The case carries broader political weight. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with a financial transaction involving Sen-owned Octave Records. According to the agency, nearly ₹30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the company's accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen has maintained that the payment was made as a royalty, not a political transaction. The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) has not publicly responded to the allegation.
Parallel Inquiry into Department Irregularities
Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government has initiated an inquiry involving Sen in connection with alleged multi-crore irregularities in the tendering process of the state's Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where he served as Minister of State. This inquiry is independent of the ED's money laundering investigation and adds another layer of legal jeopardy for the former minister.
What Happens Next
The Supreme Court's decision on the anticipatory bail plea will be closely watched, given the political dimensions of the case and the ED's stated intention to pursue the investigation vigorously. Last month, the agency conducted raids at Sen's residence, the premises of some of his relatives, and the office of an event manager connected with the case; Sen was also questioned twice. How the apex court rules could shape the pace and direction of the entire investigation.
Point of View
Even if only through an alleged royalty transaction. The ED's timing in publicly naming Mamata Banerjee, while legally significant, invites scrutiny over whether investigative disclosures are being calibrated for political effect. More substantively, the dual exposure — ED's money laundering track and the state judicial commission's tendering inquiry — signals that Sen's legal troubles are structural, not episodic. The Supreme Court's approach to the anticipatory bail will test the limits of judicial protection for political figures under active central agency investigation, at a moment when that boundary is already contested.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Indranil Sen approached the Supreme Court?
Indranil Sen approached the Supreme Court on 17 October 2026 seeking anticipatory bail after the Calcutta High Court rejected a similar plea on 15 October. He fears imminent arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to alleged fake Durga Puja tour passes.
What is the ED case against Indranil Sen about?
The ED is investigating alleged irregularities in the sale of counterfeit passes for Durga Puja tours marketed using the UNESCO tag. The transactions allegedly involve around ₹60 crore, and the agency has conducted raids at Sen's residence, relatives' premises, and an event manager's office.
How is Mamata Banerjee connected to the case?
The ED issued a statement this month naming former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in connection with an alleged ₹30 lakh transfer from Sen's company, Octave Records, to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen has stated that the amount was paid as a royalty fee.
When will the Supreme Court hear Indranil Sen's plea?
The Supreme Court is closed the week of 17 October 2026. The anticipatory bail plea is expected to come up for hearing when the apex court reopens the following week, though no date has been confirmed.
Is there any inquiry separate from the ED investigation?
Yes. A judicial inquiry commission set up by the West Bengal government is separately examining alleged multi-crore irregularities in the tendering process of the state's Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where Sen served as Minister of State. This inquiry is independent of the ED's money laundering probe.
