Kolkata Police SIT has arrested corporate executive Dhrubojyoti Basu in the alleged multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass scam involving UNESCO-tagged festival tours. The investigation also involves former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen, financial scrutiny and parallel probes.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Kolkata Police has arrested Dhrubojyoti Basu, a senior official associated with the corporate organisation Mass Art, in connection with an alleged multi-crore scam involving the sale of unauthorised Durga Puja passes using UNESCO’s name and identity. His arrest on Wednesday night marks the second major arrest in the ongoing investigation, following the arrest of former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen.
According to investigators, Basu was among the individuals named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) and had allegedly been absconding since the arrest of Sen last week. Mass Art is the organisation through which the disputed festival passes were allegedly marketed and sold, offering visitors access to Durga Puja preview events and exclusive festival tours.
The investigation centres on allegations that passes were sold by presenting the organisation’s activities as being associated with UNESCO’s recognition of Kolkata’s Durga Puja as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. Investigators are examining whether the UNESCO name and logo were used without proper authorisation to attract customers and generate substantial revenue.
Basu’s arrest follows the detention of Indranil Sen, a singer-turned-politician and former state minister, who is currently in police custody. Police sources have alleged that Sen and Basu played important roles in the functioning of Mass Art and the arrangements through which the disputed passes were sold.
Sen’s wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, who was officially associated with the organisation’s leadership, has also been named in the FIR. She secured anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court and remains outside custody. However, she has reportedly undergone two rounds of questioning by the SIT as investigators seek information about the organisation’s operations, financial transactions and the use of UNESCO-related branding.
The financial activities of companies and individuals linked to the former minister’s family are also under scrutiny. Investigators are examining the possible movement of funds through multiple corporate entities and bank accounts to establish the financial structure behind the alleged irregularities.
The couple’s daughter, Averi Sen, and corporate entities reportedly linked to her have also come under financial and administrative scrutiny as part of the wider investigation.
Meanwhile, Indranil Sen is undergoing detailed questioning by the Kolkata Police SIT. Investigators have also questioned nine other individuals in connection with the case, including Madhuchhanda Sen. Police are reportedly collecting documentary and forensic evidence to establish the alleged roles of different individuals and trace the financial transactions associated with the sale of passes.
Sen is scheduled to be produced before a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. The investigating team is preparing evidence and documentation ahead of the next court proceedings, particularly in view of possible bail-related applications.
The case is being investigated through parallel proceedings by Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The city police had taken Sen into custody outside the ED’s Salt Lake office after he appeared before the central agency for questioning in connection with the alleged financial irregularities.
The controversy originally emerged following a complaint alleging irregularities in the marketing and sale of Durga Puja preview passes and the unauthorised use of UNESCO’s name. The allegations prompted a police investigation into the activities of Mass Art and individuals associated with the organisation.
Kolkata’s Durga Puja received UNESCO recognition as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021, bringing international attention to the city’s distinctive festival traditions. The ongoing investigation is examining allegations that this recognition was used to promote commercial access to festival events through disputed passes.
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With Basu’s arrest, investigators are expected to question him further about the organisation’s functioning, the alleged pass-selling arrangements and financial dealings. Both the police and the ED are continuing their respective investigations to establish the facts and determine the responsibilities of those involved.
The allegations against the individuals named in the case remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.
