kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, October 29: Former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen has been remanded to police custody until November 10 after being produced before a court in Kolkata on Thursday in connection with an alleged multi-crore financial scam involving the sale of Durga Puja passes in the name of UNESCO.

Sen, a former Trinamool Congress MLA from Chandannagar and the state’s former Information and Cultural Affairs Minister, was arrested by Kolkata Police on Wednesday. His arrest came after he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at its office in the CGO Complex in Salt Lake in connection with the ongoing investigation into the alleged Puja pass scam.

Police sources, Sen was arrested for allegedly not cooperating with the investigation. Following his arrest, he was produced before the court on Thursday. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court remanded him to police custody until November 10 to facilitate further investigation.

The case centres on allegations that Durga Puja passes were sold by allegedly misusing UNESCO’s name, resulting in the collection of crores of rupees. Investigators are examining the alleged financial irregularities and the circumstances surrounding the distribution and sale of the passes. The allegations are under investigation and have not been established as proven facts.

Sen had previously been questioned by the Enforcement Directorate several times in connection with the case. The agency had also conducted searches at multiple locations linked to him as part of its investigation into the alleged financial transactions.

After the Durga Puja and Lakshmi Puja festivities concluded, Sen was summoned again and asked to appear before the ED on Wednesday. He attended the questioning at the agency’s Salt Lake office, but Kolkata Police subsequently arrested him.

The latest development marks a significant turn in the investigation, with the former minister now in police custody for further questioning. Investigators are expected to examine his alleged role in the case, the handling of funds and other details relevant to the suspected irregularities.

Amid the ED and police investigations, Sen had approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail to avoid arrest. However, the court rejected his plea, leaving him without the requested pre-arrest protection.

With the court granting police custody until November 10, the investigation is set to continue as authorities seek further information about the alleged scam. The case has drawn attention because of the allegations surrounding the use of UNESCO’s name in connection with Durga Puja passes and the involvement of a former state minister.