A coordinated search and seizure drive was launched in Kolkata on Tuesday as investigators probed allegations of financial irregularities connected to cultural presentations held during Durga Puja. Enforcement Directorate officials simultaneously searched approximately 15 locations across the city, focusing primarily on premises connected with the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society. The action follows suspicions regarding how public contributions were collected and utilized around festival-related showcases.
Allegations Involving UNESCO Claims and Preview Shows
According to the investigating agency, MassArt Society faces allegations of having represented itself as an organisation sponsored by UNESCO. It is alleged that this claim was used to raise substantial sums of money from the public under the banner of organizing cultural events and Durga Puja 'Preview Shows'. Investigators suspect that the proceeds accumulated for these cultural initiatives were diverted toward personal gain rather than being spent on their stated festive purposes, prompting enforcement action under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.
Properties Linked to Former Minister Indranil Sen Searched
The scope of the investigation expanded to premises associated with former TMC minister Indranil Sen along with properties tied to his close associates. Enforcement Directorate personnel at these premises are reviewing banking transactions, bookkeeping documents, and administrative files to uncover evidence of irregular financial dealings. Any documentation or digital devices reflecting unauthorized transactions are being taken into custody for forensic and financial examination.
Tracking Fund Origins and End Beneficiaries
A central objective of the operation is to trace the complete path of the funds, from initial collection to final disbursement. Investigators are mapping the individuals and corporate entities that facilitated these monetary transfers, checking original funding channels against actual bank movements. The inquiry aims to establish whether public donations were channeled through intermediary accounts before reaching unintended recipients.
While Kolkata's Durga Puja is globally recognized for its artistic grandeur and public celebration, the current probe centers strictly on the governance of private festival societies. The search drive remains active, and authorities noted that definitive findings regarding MassArt Society will be established once all confiscated records undergo complete verification.
