After 16-Hour Raids, ED Summons Former Bengal Minister Indranil Sen in Money Laundering Case

The summons comes a day after the central agency conducted searches at multiple locations linked to Sen, his family members and associates. The searches, carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, lasted for several hours, with reports putting the duration of the operation at more than 16 hours.

Sen has been asked to appear at the ED's Salt Lake office in Kolkata at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. The former minister has denied the allegations and has indicated that he may take legal action over what he described as harassment of himself and his family.

The ED's investigation centres on allegations involving an organisation called massArt and the sale of passes for Durga Puja “preview shows” or parikrama tours. According to the agency, massArt allegedly collected money from members of the public while falsely presenting itself as a UNESCO-associated or sponsored organisation.

The organisation was formed after Kolkata's Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition in 2021. Investigators are examining allegations that the UNESCO name and logo were used without authorisation while promoting access to selected Durga Puja pandals.

According to the investigation, passes were allegedly sold for around 24 Durga Puja preview events, with prices reportedly ranging from about Rs 1,749 to Rs 5,499 in several cases. The ED is probing alleged financial irregularities estimated at between Rs 50 crore and Rs 60 crore.

Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, has been associated with massArt. The ED is examining the organisation's financial transactions and the role of people connected with its operations.

The investigation followed a complaint filed at Kolkata's Bowbazar Police Station in June by a person identified as Joydeep Mukherjee, who alleged financial fraud in connection with the sale of the passes. Sen has maintained that the allegations against him are false.

The agency's searches on Tuesday covered several properties in Kolkata and surrounding areas, including Sen's residence in Kasba and premises linked to relatives and an event-management professional. Reports said the ED searched 15 locations in total.

Investigators are also examining the scale of registrations for the alleged preview passes. Preliminary findings cited by investigators indicate that around 19,000 people registered in 2022, approximately 34,000 in 2023 and about 61,000 in 2024.

The ED is now expected to question Sen about the organisation's activities, the alleged use of the UNESCO name and logo, the collection and movement of funds and his association with the people and entities under investigation.

The questioning comes as the agency continues to trace the financial transactions linked to the alleged scheme and determine the roles of the individuals and organisations named in the case.