Ex-WB Minister Held For Durga Puja Entry Pass Scam
Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by the Kolkata Police: Reports
KOLKATA: Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by the Kolkata Police on Wednesday afternoon in a dramatic operation for allegedly pocketing around ₹50-60 crores through the sale of ‘special preview’ entry passes to Durga Puja pandal hoppers from 2022 to 2025 via massArt, an organisation headed by his wife Madhuchhanda Sen, that had illegally used the UNESCO tag to claim its association with the global body after it accorded the festival a cultural heritage status.
Mr Sen, who held information and cultural affairs and tourism portfolios in the Mamata Banerjee cabinet, was caught by the detective department (DD) officers as soon as he stepped out of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office at CGO Complex in Salt Lake after facing the central agency's questioning in the same case on money laundering charges. The DD officers started waiting outside the ED office hours after the singer-turned-Trinamul Congress politician appeared there in the morning responding to fresh summons.
Mr Sen was whisked away to the city police headquarters, Lalbazar, for interrogation after his arrest. He will be produced at a court on Thursday. The Kolkata Police is expected to pray for his custody. Reacting to the ex-Chandannagar MLA’s arrest, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said, “The ED and Kolkata Police were probing against him after getting evidence based on which the legal step followed. He is not however the only person to be involved in the case.”
He added, “The former CM might have her part in it also. Mr Sen used to travel with her in her car and sang with her. The last song had their voice too. They were complementary to each other. So the outcome is what was expected. It's just a tea-biscuit. The breakfast is yet to happen. All the institutional thieves will go to jail. Their top will be touched at the right time.”
