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Indranil Sen Faces Second ED Questioning in Durga Puja Case
Indranil Sen, a former minister in West Bengal, went to the Enforcement Directorate for questioning again.
The agency is investigating money connected to Durga Puja preview events and the sale of entry passes.
The events were run by a group called Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society.
Sen brought bank statements and other records for investigators to examine.
The ED is checking where the money came from and how it was spent.
It says Sen's company sent Rs 30 lakh to Mamata Banerjee, while Sen says it was a royalty payment.
The ED has not said that this transfer itself was criminal.
Sen denies the allegations, and the investigation is continuing.
Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen returned to the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday for a second round of questioning.
He brought bank statements covering the past decade; investigators are examining the flow of funds and whether transactions match declared income and expenditure.
The probe concerns alleged irregularities in Durga Puja preview shows and entry-pass sales run by Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society.
The ED said Sen's company transferred Rs 30 lakh to Mamata Banerjee, which Sen described as a royalty payment; the agency did not attribute criminality to that transaction.
The agency has searched around 15 locations and said more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into Sen's company, Octave Records; Sen has denied the allegations.
- Who
- Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen; the Enforcement Directorate is investigating.
- What
- Sen faced a second round of questioning in a probe into alleged financial irregularities linked to Durga Puja preview shows and entry-pass sales.
- Where
- The Enforcement Directorate office; the case is connected to Durga Puja events in West Bengal.
- When
- Wednesday; the ED had previously questioned Sen on September 30.
- Why
- The agency is examining the flow and use of funds collected through preview programmes and passes, including whether any money was diverted for personal benefit.
ED investigation
Sen's response
Alleged financial irregularities
ED investigation
The ED is investigating whether money collected through preview events and passes was diverted for personal benefit and is examining the organisation's management and fund flows.
Sen's response
Sen has denied the allegations against him.
Rs 30 lakh transfer
ED investigation
The ED said Sen's company transferred Rs 30 lakh to Mamata Banerjee through banking channels.
Sen's response
Sen described the payment as a royalty amount. The ED's press release did not attribute criminality to the transaction.
Key facts
- Person questioned
- Indranil Sen, former West Bengal minister
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Earlier questioning
- September 30
- Organisation at the centre of the complaint
- Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society (massArt), headed by Sen's wife
- Transfer cited by the ED
- Rs 30 lakh from Sen's company to Mamata Banerjee; Sen said it was a royalty payment
- Cash deposit allegation
- The ED said more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into the account of Sen's company, Octave Records
- Searches
- Around 15 locations
- Period cited for preview-programme collections
- Nearly three years from 2022
Quotes
An ED official
An unnamed Enforcement Directorate official discussing the document review.
“There are irregularities in the award of contracts. It has been alleged that funds amounting to several crores were routed to entities allegedly linked to Sen and his associates.”
telegraphindia.com
“Our officials are examining the documents to establish the flow of funds and determine whether the transactions were consistent with the income and expenditure declared by him.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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