UNESCO name misuse: Complaint against Bengal ex-Minister Indranil Sen, wife
Synopsis
A former West Bengal minister and his wife now face police complaints alleging they built a commercial racket around Kolkata's UNESCO-recognised Durga Puja — selling tickets under an unauthorised 'joint venture' with UNESCO that the UN body says never existed. The alleged fraud reportedly ran for two years before the complainant felt safe enough to speak up.
Key Takeaways
A complaint was filed at Bowbazar Police Station, Kolkata against former minister Indranil Sen and his wife Madhuchanda Sen .
The couple allegedly used UNESCO's name and logo through an organisation called MassArt to sell pre-Puja tickets illegally.
MassArt claimed a joint venture with UNESCO covering 24 Durga Puja pandals — a claim UNESCO reportedly denied.
Transactions allegedly involving crores of rupees were linked to the scheme, which reportedly ran from 2022–23 .
Complainant Joydeep Mukherjee says he delayed filing due to the political climate; a separate complaint was sent to the Director General of Police .
Indranil Sen has not issued any official statement on the allegations.
A police complaint has been lodged at Bowbazar Police Station in central Kolkata against former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen and his wife Madhuchanda Sen, accusing them of illegally selling pre-Puja tickets by misusing the name and logo of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The complaint, filed on behalf of an international tourism company by Joydeep Mukherjee, also alleges that the couple ran an illegal commercial operation centred around Kolkata's Durga Puja celebrations. A separate complaint was simultaneously submitted to the Director General of Police.
The Allegations in Detail
According to the complaint, Kolkata's Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition in 2021. The following year, an organisation named MassArt was reportedly formed, allegedly using UNESCO's name and official logo for commercial activities. Madhuchanda Sen, wife of the former minister, heads MassArt.
The organisation allegedly claimed it had selected 24 Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata through a joint venture with UNESCO. However, the complainant asserts this claim was entirely false. According to Mukherjee, when he personally contacted UNESCO to verify, the organisation confirmed it had entered into no commercial agreement with any body called MassArt, and had not authorised the use of its name or logo. Tickets for pre-Puja events were allegedly sold using these unauthorised credentials, with transactions reportedly involving crores of rupees.
Why the Complaint Was Delayed
Although the alleged activities date back to 2022–23, Mukherjee stated he did not raise the issue earlier due to what he described as the prevailing political situation in the state. He has now sought a thorough investigation, asserting that the matter touches upon the country's honour given UNESCO's international standing.
The Former Minister's Response
Indranil Sen, who served as a state minister in West Bengal, has not issued any official statement in response to the allegations as of the time of filing. The silence has drawn attention given the seriousness of the charges, which involve alleged misrepresentation of a globally recognised United Nations body.
Broader Context
This comes amid heightened scrutiny of activities surrounding Kolkata's Durga Puja, which has seen a surge in commercial interest since receiving UNESCO's 'Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity' tag in 2021. Critics argue that the prestigious recognition has opened avenues for exploitation by those seeking to monetise the festival's global reputation. This case, if proven, would represent one of the more brazen alleged misuses of the UNESCO brand in India's cultural calendar. Investigators are yet to formally respond to the complaints on record.
Point of View
Or recently in power, carry personal risk. That the complainant waited until now raises questions about whether the state's law-enforcement machinery will pursue this with the rigour the UNESCO angle demands. Misusing a UN body's branding for a domestic commercial racket is not a minor local fraud; it is reputational damage to India's stewardship of a globally recognised cultural heritage. The silence from Indranil Sen, a public figure, only deepens the accountability deficit.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the complaint against former minister Indranil Sen and his wife?
An international tourism company has filed a police complaint accusing former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen and his wife Madhuchanda Sen of illegally selling pre-Durga Puja tickets by misusing the UNESCO name and logo through an organisation called MassArt. The alleged fraud reportedly involved crores of rupees in transactions.
What is MassArt and what role does it play in the case?
MassArt is an organisation allegedly formed in 2022 and headed by Madhuchanda Sen, wife of Indranil Sen. It reportedly claimed to have selected 24 Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata in a joint venture with UNESCO — a claim UNESCO has denied, stating it made no commercial agreement with MassArt and did not authorise use of its name or logo.
When did the alleged misuse of UNESCO's name take place?
The alleged activities reportedly took place during 2022–23, following Kolkata's Durga Puja receiving UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition in 2021. The complaint was filed in June 2025, with the complainant citing political conditions as the reason for the delay.
Where was the complaint filed and who filed it?
The complaint was filed at Bowbazar Police Station in central Kolkata by Joydeep Mukherjee on behalf of an international tourism company. A separate complaint was also submitted to the Director General of Police.
Has Indranil Sen responded to the allegations?
No. As of the time of the complaint's filing, Indranil Sen had not issued any official statement addressing the allegations made against him and his wife.
