ED raids ex-minister Indranil Sen's premises in Durga Puja preview show pass case
The Enforcement Directorate searched about 10 locations in Kolkata linked to the Trinamool leader over alleged irregularities in the sale of passes for Durga Puja preview shows.
Kolkata: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating allegations of financial irregularities in the name of Durga Puja "preview shows" in West Bengal. In this connection, the agency on Tuesday morning raided premises linked to former minister and Trinamool Congress leader Indranil Sen and people associated with him. About 10 locations in Kolkata are said to have been searched. According to one report, the ED also reached the home of a relative of Sen, besides his own residence.
An organisation called "Mass Art" is said to be at the centre of the probe. It is alleged to have sold passes for "preview shows" or "Puja parikrama" of Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata. Sources associated with the investigation said an irregularity of about Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore is suspected through this route. However, the amount and the allegations are still under investigation, and no final conclusion has been reached.
A police complaint has already been filed in the matter against Indranil Sen, his wife Madhuchhanda Sen and others associated with Mass Art. The ED is now examining the structure of the organisation, its financial transactions, the sale of passes and the role of the people involved.
Another important aspect of the case is the alleged use of the name and logo of UNESCO. It is alleged that Mass Art sold Durga Puja preview show passes by describing itself as associated with UNESCO or its authorised partner. How much truth there is in this claim, and whether the UNESCO name was used with permission, is also being investigated.
Meanwhile, according to UNESCO's official website, "Durga Puja in Kolkata" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021. The website lists "massArt" as the organiser of the 2023 "Preview Show of Durga Puja Art".
On the whole, even after the raids, all of this remains in the realm of allegation and investigation. What actually happened in the sale of the passes and in the financial transactions will become clear only as the ED's inquiry progresses.
