Indranil Sen Arrested: Singer’s Rise Under TMC And Fall After BJP Win

The former Trinamool Congress minister faces allegations of financial irregularities linked to Durga Puja preview shows and privileged-entry passes, while West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has targeted former CM Mamata Banerjee over the case.

Bengali singer and former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police on October 28, 2026, in connection with alleged financial irregularities involving Durga Puja preview shows and the sale of privileged-entry passes. The arrest followed his questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a related money-laundering investigation.

Sen, who served as tourism and culture minister in the previous Trinamool Congress (TMC) government, is under investigation over alleged irregularities linked to MassArt Society, an organisation associated with the management of Durga Puja preview events.

The case centres on allegations that the organisation sold tickets and privileged-entry passes between 2022 and 2025 while falsely claiming an association with UNESCO. The allegations include cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy. The claims remain subject to investigation.

According to reports, Sen appeared before the ED in Kolkata on Wednesday and was questioned for several hours before being taken into custody by the city police. Investigators are examining the collection and movement of funds linked to the alleged scheme.

Suvendu Adhikari Targets Mamata Banerjee

Reacting to Sen’s arrest, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari alleged that former chief minister Mamata Banerjee may also have benefited from the money under investigation. He cited a transfer of nearly ₹30 lakh to Banerjee, which Sen has reportedly described as royalty payment.

The ED has said that the transfer was made through banking channels from an account linked to Sen’s business. The agency is investigating the financial transactions as part of its wider probe. The transfer, by itself, does not establish wrongdoing by Banerjee.

Adhikari also alleged that Sen had benefited from his political connections and said the investigation could extend to others. He maintained that the probe by the ED and Kolkata Police had been underway for some time.

The allegations have added a fresh political dimension to the case, bringing the former minister’s links with the previous TMC government into focus.

Investigation Into Alleged Durga Puja Pass Irregularities

The case originated from a complaint alleging that MassArt Society used UNESCO’s name and logo to market paid access to selected Durga Puja pandals and preview events. Investigators are examining whether the organisation had any authorised commercial arrangement with UNESCO and how the proceeds from ticket sales were used.

The ED has also investigated transactions involving entities allegedly connected to Sen and his associates. In earlier statements, the agency alleged that government tenders worth more than ₹85 crore were awarded to entities linked to Sen’s associates. These claims form part of the ongoing investigation.

Sen’s arrest comes amid increased scrutiny of alleged corruption cases involving former ministers of the previous West Bengal government. Further legal proceedings and investigations are expected to determine the extent of the alleged financial irregularities.