A lower court in Kolkata on Friday, 13 November 2026, extended the police custody of Dhrubojyoti Basu, alias Subho, a senior executive of Mass Art, until 17 November. Basu is accused of being a key operative in the alleged sale of fake UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja passes — a scam that has drawn both Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into a parallel investigation.

Key Developments in Court

Basu was first arrested on 4 November and remanded to police custody on 5 November. After a hearing on Friday afternoon, the court extended his remand by four more days. Notably, Basu's counsel chose not to file a bail petition, informing the bench that his client intended to cooperate with the ongoing probe.

The public prosecutor had sought an extension until 18 November, submitting that investigators had already searched multiple locations — including Basu's office — during the initial remand period. The court granted four additional days rather than the five requested.

What Investigators Have Found So Far

'A total of 21 documents were seized. The investigating officers have received sufficient evidence. After questioning Dhrubojyoti, the names of some organisations have surfaced, which need to be investigated,' the prosecutor told the court. The statement signals that the probe is broadening beyond the individuals already arrested.

The Indranil Sen Connection

Mass Art is owned by Madhuchhanda Sen, wife of former West Bengal Tourism and Information and Cultural Affairs Minister Indranil Sen. The singer-turned-politician was arrested by Kolkata Police on 28 October for his alleged role in the fake pass racket and is currently in judicial custody. Both Madhuchhanda Sen and their daughter Avery Sen have been questioned by city police in connection with the case.

The ED is conducting a parallel money laundering probe against the former minister. Sen was detained on the evening of 28 October — immediately after leaving the ED's Salt Lake office following hours of questioning by central agency officials. This dual-track investigation — state police and federal enforcement — signals the case is being treated as more than a routine fraud.

Complainant Seeks Police Protection

The case's origins lie in an FIR registered at Bowbazar Police Station following a complaint by Joydeep Mukherjee, who accused Sen and his associates of orchestrating the scam. On Friday, Mukherjee's counsel moved a fresh plea before the same court, alleging that the complainant has been receiving death threats since Sen's arrest. The court has sought a report from the police on the matter — adding another layer of concern to an already high-profile case.

What Happens Next

With Basu's custody running until 17 November, investigators are expected to pursue leads on the organisations whose names have surfaced during questioning. The ED's money laundering angle could further widen the net. The death-threat allegation against the complainant will also require a formal police response before the court within days.