The Enforcement Directorate has launched coordinated raids across 15 Kolkata locations linked to former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen. The federal agency is investigating alleged money laundering involving Rs 50-60 crore generated from Durga Puja event management and tours, probing potential financial links to private commercial establishments.
The Enforcement Directorate initiated a wide-reaching search operation on Tuesday, targeting 15 locations across Kolkata and surrounding districts. The federal agency is conducting this probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, focusing on financial activities associated with the Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society, or massArt. This organization is presided over by the wife of former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen. The investigation seeks to trace the movement of an estimated Rs 50 to 60 crore, which authorities allege was collected through the sale of Durga Puja preview passes and organized tours for visitors.
Investigators are examining a potential nexus between these cultural event operations and the Maya Art Gallery, which is located directly beneath Sen’s residence. A core aspect of the inquiry is determining whether the tourism itinerary was designed to direct traffic toward specific private commercial entities. The agency is questioning whether domestic and international tourists were encouraged to purchase high-value items, such as artwork and sarees, at this gallery, with the resulting proceeds potentially being diverted for personal gain.
This regulatory action follows a formal complaint lodged with the Kolkata Police in June. That complaint alleged significant discrepancies in the management and financial reporting of massArt’s operations. While the organization played a role in the promotional activities surrounding Kolkata’s Durga Puja, which received UNESCO recognition in 2021, the current scrutiny highlights increasing regulatory focus on the transparency of funds collected by societies and private entities under the guise of cultural preservation.
Indranil Sen has previously denied these allegations, describing them as politically motivated. As the search operations continue, the Enforcement Directorate is tasked with reconciling seized financial records against reported revenue streams. The objective is to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain a formal money laundering case in court. For stakeholders and the public, the development serves as a reminder of the heightened scrutiny on the financial governance of high-profile cultural and event-management organizations in the state.