Former Bengal Minister Arrested Over Durga Puja Pass Irregularities

Indranil Sen, who previously served as a minister in the West Bengal administration, was taken into custody on charges related to irregularities in the distribution and sale of Durga Puja passes. The arrest marks the culmination of an investigation conducted jointly by the Enforcement Directorate and Kolkata Police into alleged financial and administrative misconduct.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the arrest, attributing it to the findings of the coordinated investigation by both agencies. The case centers on alleged irregularities in how passes for the state's premier cultural event were allocated and sold, raising questions about administrative oversight and potential financial impropriety.

Durga Puja is one of West Bengal's most significant cultural and religious events, drawing millions of devotees and visitors across the state. The investigation into pass sales irregularities suggests concerns about the management of public resources and access to the festivities.

The arrest reflects ongoing efforts by investigating agencies to address alleged administrative lapses and financial irregularities within the state government. Further details regarding the specific nature of the charges and the scope of the investigation are expected to emerge as the case progresses.

Photo: A Durga Puja pandal in Salt Lake, Kolkata, October 2025. Tarunsamanta via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).