MassArt pass sales under financial investigation:Kolkata Police arrest ex-minster Indranil Sen over alleged ₹60 crore Durga Puja pass scam

Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by a Kolkata Police Detective Department Special Cell team from Salt Lake on Wednesday (28 Oct) in connection with the alleged MassArt Durga Puja preview pass scam. He is being brought to Lalbazar, the headquarters of Kolkata Police, for further questioning. Police bring Sen to Lalbazar The detention comes amid an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, popularly known as MassArt. The case concerns allegations that the organisation generated between ₹50 crore and ₹60 crore through the sale of exclusive Durga Puja preview passes in Kolkata. Probe into alleged Durga Puja pass scam Investigators are probing allegations that the organisation sold paid passes for access to 24 select Durga Puja pandals before they opened to the general public. The passes reportedly ranged from ₹1,749 to ₹5,499, offering visitors access to the pandals ahead of their public opening. Investigators examine alleged UNESCO affiliation claims The organisation allegedly used claims of an association with UNESCO to promote the exclusive tours. Investigators are examining whether the claims were misleading and whether proceeds from the pass sales were diverted for personal gain. Pass sales allegedly generated crores of rupees According to estimates cited in the investigation, around 19,000 passes were sold in 2022, 34,000 in 2023 and 61,000 in 2024. The alleged scale of the transactions has brought the organisation’s financial dealings under scrutiny. ED conducted searches across Kolkata in September In September 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations across Kolkata under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The searches reportedly included premises linked to Sen and his relatives as part of the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities. Sen denies financial links to MassArt Sen has previously denied any direct personal or financial involvement in MassArt. He has maintained that he is being drawn into the controversy because his wife is associated with the organisation and he served as a minister at the time. He has also claimed that the organisation issued VIP cards with the necessary permissions rather than selling tickets. MassArt secretary refutes allegations against organisation MassArt secretary Dhrubajyoti Basu has rejected the allegations, claiming that the organisation possesses documents supporting its assertions about UNESCO’s involvement and financial assistance provided to artists and Durga Puja committees.