17 hrs ago
ED Questions Former Tourism Minister in MassArt Money-Laundering Probe
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating a group called massArt.
The group organised special Durga Puja preview shows.
Investigators allege that it told people the events were connected to UNESCO.
They also allege that money collected from the public may have been misused.
Former tourism minister Indranil Sen was questioned because he is connected to the case.
Officers searched 15 locations before questioning him.
One searched property was his garden house in Singur.
The investigation is examining whether UNESCO’s name and logo were used without permission and whether financial records were properly disclosed.
Former tourism minister Indranil Sen was questioned for several hours by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday.
The questioning followed ED searches and seizures at 15 locations linked to the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society case.
Investigators allege massArt falsely presented Durga Puja preview shows as UNESCO-sponsored events and collected money from the public.
The probe examines whether collected funds were diverted for personal gain and whether promotional material used UNESCO’s name and logo without authorization.
The case concerns commercial preview shows held from 2022 to 2024, while 2025 donor passes allegedly continued invoking UNESCO links.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate questioned former tourism minister Indranil Sen over allegations involving the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, or massArt.
- What
- The agency is investigating alleged money laundering, financial irregularities, unauthorized use of UNESCO’s name and logo, and possible diversion of collected funds.
- Where
- Sen was questioned at the CGO Complex, while searches covered 15 locations, including his garden house “Mohona” in Chhutipur village, Singur, Hooghly.
- When
- Sen was questioned on Wednesday, after searches on Tuesday; the preview shows under investigation took place from 2022 to 2024, with 2025 donor passes also being examined.
- Why
- The ED is investigating allegations that massArt collected money by falsely presenting its Durga Puja preview shows as UNESCO-sponsored and may have misused the funds.
Key facts
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate, acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
- Person questioned
- Indranil Sen, former tourism minister
- Organisation under investigation
- Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, also known as massArt
- Searches
- ED teams searched and seized materials at 15 locations on Tuesday
- Events examined
- Commercial preview shows of 24 selected Durga Puja pandals from 2022 to 2024
- Alleged representation
- massArt allegedly claimed the shows involved UNESCO-selected pandals and visits by UNESCO representatives
- Latest questioning
- Sen appeared at the ED office Wednesday morning and left at about 8:30 p.m.
Sources
Related news
ED Searches Ex-Minister Indranil Sen in Durga Puja Funds Case
Indranil Sen Questioned Over Durga Puja Pass Sale Irregularities
ED says ex-minister’s firm transferred Rs 30 lakh to Banerjee
ED Raids Ex-Minister’s Kolkata Home Over Durga Puja Passes
ED Alleges Ex-Bengal Minister Awarded ₹85 Crore Tenders
Bengal Minister Warns Against Durga Puja-Linked Corruption After ED Raids
ED Alleges Rs 30 Lakh Transfer To Mamata Banerjee