Kolkata Police on Wednesday evening arrested former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen over an alleged ₹60 crore fake Durga Puja pass scam.
The arrest took place shortly after the singer-turned-politician emerged from the Enforcement Directorate office at Salt Lake, where central officials questioned him in a parallel money-laundering probe.
Police officers waiting outside the agency premises detained Sen and transported him directly to the Kolkata Police headquarters at Lalbazar, citing non-cooperation with the ongoing investigation.
Investigators allege that Sen and his wife, Madhuchanda, orchestrated the multi-crore fraud by illegally issuing and selling fraudulent tour passes during the UNESCO-tagged festival season.
The police probe originated from a formal complaint filed at the Bowbazar Police Station, prompting the central agency to subsequently register an Enforcement Case Information Report.
Central agency officials conducted extensive raids last month across several premises connected to Sen, his family, and an event manager involved in the multi-crore operation.
The arrest follows the Calcutta High Court’s refusal to grant him anticipatory bail on October 15, which prompted his legal team to approach the Supreme Court.
In a related development, the central agency revealed that Sen’s firm, Octave Records, transferred nearly ₹30 lakh to former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, which Sen claimed was royalty.
Additionally, a state-appointed judicial inquiry commission is investigating alleged tender irregularities within the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, where Sen previously served as Minister of State.
🌐 Stay Connected with The Avenue Mail
Get the latest news and breaking updates delivered instantly to your feed.
🟢Join our WhatsApp Group: Click here to join
📢 The Avenue Mail: Your trusted source for real-time news.
