In a major law enforcement action in West Bengal, former state minister Indranil Sen was taken into custody by the Kolkata Police right outside the Enforcement Directorate office located at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake. The arrest took place immediately after the former minister stepped out of the federal agency facility following an extensive round of questioning related to an ongoing financial probe.
Dramatic Apprehension Outside Central Agency Headquarters
Detectives from the Kolkata Police detective department moved in around 5.10 pm on Wednesday, intercepting Indranil Sen as he exited the premises. The former minister had arrived at the federal investigative office to comply with a summons marking his third appearance before the agency. The swift operation directly on the doorstep of the central agency office underscores the rapid escalation in the parallel investigations being pursued by state and federal authorities.
Allegations of Misusing UNESCO Identity for Ticket Sales
The controversy centers on the commercialization of preview passes and tickets for the prestigious Durga Puja festivities. An organization linked to the former minister and his wife, named Mass-Art, stands accused of unauthorized exploitation of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) name and logo. According to investigators, the entity allegedly portrayed itself as an authorized associate or official partner of the world body to market and distribute event passes to the public.
Financial Dimensions of the 50 to 60 Crore Rupee Case
Investigators estimate the scale of the financial irregularity at approximately 50 to 60 crore rupees, generated through the improper distribution and sale of preview show entry passes under the guise of an international cultural partnership. The legal process gained momentum after an individual registered a formal complaint at the Bowbazar police station in Kolkata, prompting state police investigators to work in tandem with federal officials to trace the illicit proceeds and administrative infractions.
Sustained Questioning and Earlier Premises Searches
The arrest followed weeks of intense regulatory scrutiny that began on 29 September, when search teams conducted day-long operations across properties linked to Indranil Sen, including his garden house residence situated in Hooghly. On 30 September, the day after the searches, investigators subjected him to an intensive interrogation spanning more than 8 hours. Officials subsequently summoned him for a second session on 7 October before calling him in for Wednesday's proceedings that culminated in his formal detention.
