Full Breakdown
Former West Bengal Minister Indranil Sen Arrested Over Durga Puja Ticket Scam
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Event: Arrest and Immediate Aftermath
On October 28, 2026, Kolkata Police detained former tourism and culture minister Indranil Sen as he left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake. After more than four hours of questioning, a police special-cell team escorted him to the Lal Bazar headquarters. The arrest followed ignored summonses and a rejected anticipatory bail application before the Calcutta High Court. He is to be produced before a sessions court on Thursday for further custody.
02
Background & Context: UNESCO Tag and MassArt Society
Durga Puja received UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage recognition in 2021. In June 2022, the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society (MassArt), headed by Sen’s wife Madhuchanda Sen, began marketing “preview shows” and privileged-entry passes for 24 selected pandals, claiming UNESCO sponsorship without any formal agreement. A complaint filed on June 8 by travel consultant Jaydeep Mukherjee alleged misuse of the UNESCO name to sell tickets priced between INR4,000 and INR12,000.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Data & Statistics: Alleged Financial Scale
- ED’s preliminary estimate places irregularities between INR50 crore and INR60 crore.
- A statement cites a INR30 lakh transfer from Sen’s company Octave Records to former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, described by Sen as royalty.
- Police reported over 1 lakh preview tickets issued in 2023-2024, generating “crores” of revenue.
- Separate reports mention a INR34 crore alleged cheating amount and INR85 crore in tenders awarded to Sen’s close associates.
04
Official Statements & Responses
Digital devices and documents seized during raids are being examined for money-laundering links. Kolkata Police confirmed a tight cordon around the ED office while Sen was interrogated and said the arrest was made after “evidence” was found. The Calcutta High Court denied Sen’s anticipatory bail; his petition to the Supreme Court remains pending.
05
Criticism & Opposition
All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) spokesperson Kunal Ghosh called the probe “politically motivated,” arguing that the INR30 lakh transfer to Banerjee was a legitimate royalty payment with tax deductions.
06
On-the-Ground Reports
ED raids on September 29 covered 15 locations, including Sen’s residence in Kasba and a garden house in Singur. Officers from the Detective Department and Bidhannagar Police maintained a “tight cordon” around the CGO Complex. An officer at Lal Bazar said the investigation uncovered suspected corruption involving INR30 crore, with funds transferred to accounts of Sen’s wife, daughter and relatives.
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Monetary estimates vary: ED cites INR30 lakh to Banerjee, while other outlets mention INR34 crore, INR50-60 crore, and INR85 crore in related transactions.
- UNESCO has denied any commercial partnership with MassArt; the nature of any informal endorsement remains unverified.
- The legal status of the ticket sales—cheating, money-laundering, or breach of trust—has not been adjudicated, and the Supreme Court’s decision on Sen’s bail petition is pending.
08
What’s Next
Sen is scheduled to appear before a sessions court on Thursday, where police will seek custody for further interrogation. The ED has indicated that its investigation is ongoing, with additional searches and forensic analysis of seized digital evidence expected. The Supreme Court is set to hear Sen’s bail petition in the coming weeks, while the broader inquiry into alleged UNESCO misuse and related financial transactions continues.