2 hrs ago
ED Alleges Ex-Bengal Minister Awarded ₹85 Crore Tenders
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen and people linked to him.
The agency says some government contracts worth more than ₹85 crore went to companies run by his associates.
It also says money from those companies moved to businesses connected to Sen’s relatives.
The investigation involves MassArt Society, which sold special tickets for Durga Puja preview shows.
Investigators allege that the group used UNESCO’s name and logo without permission to sell the tickets.
More than one lakh tickets were allegedly sold during 2023 and 2024.
The ED says nearly ₹30 lakh was transferred from an account linked to Sen to Mamata Banerjee.
Sen reportedly explained that this payment was a royalty, while the broader allegations remain under investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate alleged that former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen awarded tenders worth over ₹85 crore to entities owned by close associates.
The agency said those entities later transferred substantial sums to firms controlled by Sen’s relatives and made large cash withdrawals.
The ED alleged that over ₹3.8 crore was deposited into accounts linked to Sen and Octave Records, from which nearly ₹30 lakh went to Mamata Banerjee.
Sen reportedly told investigators that the payment to Banerjee was made as royalty.
The investigation concerns alleged ticketing and financial irregularities by MassArt Society, including the sale of more than one lakh Durga Puja preview-show tickets in 2023 and 2024.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate is investigating former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen, his wife Madhuchhanda Sen, and associates linked to MassArt Society; the agency also named Mamata Banerjee in connection with a reported payment.
- What
- The ED alleged tender-related financial irregularities, cash deposits and transfers, and the commercial sale of Durga Puja preview-show tickets.
- Where
- The investigation centers on Kolkata and concerns activities linked to West Bengal government departments and Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata.
- When
- Searches took place on Tuesday, Sen was questioned for about nine and a half hours on Wednesday, and the report was dated October 1; the ticket sales cited covered 2023 and 2024.
- Why
- The ED said the investigation followed an FIR alleging criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery and criminal conspiracy, and involved suspected misuse of UNESCO’s name and alleged diversion of ticket proceeds.
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
Indranil Sen’s stated explanation
₹30 lakh transfer
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED said nearly ₹30 lakh moved from Octave Records to Mamata Banerjee and linked the transfer to its investigation into Sen’s financial activities.
Indranil Sen’s stated explanation
Sen reportedly told investigators that the payment was made to Banerjee in the form of royalty.
MassArt Society ticketing
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The agency alleged that MassArt Society falsely presented itself as UNESCO-sponsored, improperly used UNESCO’s name and logo, and diverted ticket proceeds for personal gain.
Indranil Sen’s stated explanation
The supplied report does not include a separate response from Sen, MassArt Society or UNESCO to these allegations.
Key facts
- Tender value
- More than ₹85 crore in tenders allegedly awarded to entities owned by Sen’s associates.
- Cash deposits
- More than ₹3.8 crore allegedly deposited into accounts linked to Indranil Sen and Octave Records.
- Reported transfer
- Nearly ₹30 lakh was transferred from Octave Records to Mamata Banerjee; Sen reportedly described it as royalty.
- Ticket prices
- MassArt Society allegedly sold preview-show tickets priced from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499.
- Ticket volume
- More than one lakh tickets were allegedly issued during 2023 and 2024.
- Searches
- The ED searched 15 premises in Kolkata linked to Sen and his associates.
- Investigation basis
- The case followed an FIR filed at Bowbazar Police Station under provisions concerning breach of trust, cheating, forgery and conspiracy.
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
India’s financial crime investigation agency
“Investigation has revealed that the accused individuals systematically commercialised Durga Puja viewing, effectively converting a public festival into a commercial enterprise for personal gain. It was further disclosed that the accused, operating through MassArt, sold tickets to the general public ranging from Rs 1,749 to Rs 5,499 for ‘Preview Shows’ across 24 selected Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata”
theprint.in
“The investigation has revealed that over a two-year period (2023 and 2024) alone, more than one lakh such tickets were issued.”
theprint.in
Sources
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