Kolkata, October 1 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a significant operation in Kolkata, targeting 15 locations as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the management of the Durga Puja ‘preview show’ by the MassArt Society. This action falls under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002.
The locations raided include the residential and office premises of the MassArt Society, its officials, and former minister Indranil Sen, along with several close associates. The investigation was initiated based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Bowbazar police station under the Kolkata Police Commissionerate.
The FIR cites various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 316(2), 318(4), and others, indicating serious allegations against the accused. The operation was prompted by a written complaint from Jaydeep Mukherjee against Indranil Sen, Madhu Chanda Sen (president of MassArt), and other key figures within the organization.
The accused allegedly misled the public by falsely claiming to be a UNESCO-sponsored entity, collecting substantial funds through MassArt between 2022 and 2025, which were purportedly used for personal gain. Investigations revealed that the accused systematically commercialized the Durga Puja viewing experience, transforming a public festival into a business venture.
Tickets for the ‘preview show’ were sold to the public at prices ranging from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499 for 24 selected Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. A central element of this fraudulent scheme involved the unauthorized exploitation of UNESCO’s name and goodwill for commercial purposes. Over 100,000 tickets were reportedly issued during a two-year period (2023 and 2024), with revenues either withdrawn in cash from bank accounts or obscured through various expenses.
Further investigation showed that during Indranil Sen’s tenure as a minister, tenders worth over ₹85 crore were awarded to entities owned by Dhruvjyoti Bose and Dipesh Roy, who are known to be close associates of Sen. These entities later transferred substantial sums to companies controlled by Sen’s relatives, with significant cash withdrawals observed from their bank accounts.
Additionally, the investigation uncovered that over ₹3.8 crore was deposited into the bank accounts of Indranil Sen and his company, Octave Records, during his term. Approximately ₹30 lakh was also transferred through banking channels to the then Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, which Sen claimed was a royalty payment.
During the raids, the ED recovered incriminating digital devices and documentary evidence, which have been seized under the appropriate legal provisions. The ED continues to pursue further investigations related to this case.
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