Brief
Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen arrested in money‑laundering probe
The Enforcement Directorate and Kolkata Police detained former minister Indranil Sen on charges of laundering proceeds from Durga Puja ticket sales.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Kolkata police on Wednesday detained former West Bengal minister and Trinamool Congress leader Indranil Sen shortly after he left the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office at the CGO Complex in Salt Lake, DNA India reported.
What happened
Sen was arrested following a complaint lodged at Bowbazar police station that prompted a joint investigation by the ED and Kolkata Police. The probe centres on the sale of Durga Puja preview show tickets through an organisation called massArt, linked to Sen's wife Madhuchhanda Sen. According to the ED, tickets priced between Rs 1,749 and Rs 5,499 were issued in excess of one lakh across 2023 and 2024.
What the reports add
DNA India notes that the agency alleges more than Rs 3.8 crore in cash was deposited into Sen's personal accounts and his proprietorship, Octave Records, during his tenure. It also states that roughly Rs 30 lakh was transferred from Octave Records to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee, which Sen described as a "royalty" payment. The ED has not clarified the purpose of the transfer or alleged any criminality in it.
What was said
The article does not contain direct quotations from officials or Sen; it summarises the ED's allegations and Sen's description of the payment to Banerjee.
How it came about
The investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Earlier reporting by Felo News covered the broader crackdown on political figures linked to financial irregularities, linking this arrest to ongoing scrutiny of party leaders' involvement in cultural event financing.
Key facts
- Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata police after leaving the ED office in Salt Lake. (dnaindia.com)
- The ED alleges over Rs 3.8 crore was deposited into Sen's accounts and Octave Records from ticket sales. (dnaindia.com)
- Approximately Rs 30 lakh was transferred from Octave Records to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, termed a "royalty" by Sen. (dnaindia.com)
- The case is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. (dnaindia.com)
Sources
- [1] dnaindia.com — originally reported as “Who is TMC's Indranil Sen? Police arrests former Bengal minister in money laundering case”
