ED grills Indranil Sen for around 10 hours
The Enforcement Directorate questioned former West Bengal minister Indranil Sen for nearly 10 hours on Wednesday over alleged financial irregularities in holding Durga Puja preview shows and the sale of passes, an official said.
A day earlier, the federal probe agency searched 15 premises linked to Sen and others as part of its probe into the case under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Sen, who served as a minister in the previous Trinamool Congress Government, reached the ED office at CGO Complex here around 10.45 am.
“Our officers questioned Sen for nearly 10 hours as part of an investigation into allegations that tickets for Durga Puja events were sold at substantially higher prices. We have not received proper replies to certain questions,” an ED officer told PTI. “We are examining the entire chain of transactions, including the collection and movement of funds, and the role of individuals associated,” he said. Sen did not reply to reporters’ questions while leaving the ED office.
The case stems from a complaint lodged with the Kolkata Police in June against Sen, his wife and other office-bearers of Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society (massArt) over alleged irregularities in the sale of Durga Puja preview passes.
According to the allegations being investigated, massArt collected a substantial amount of money through the preview programmes and passes. The ED is examining whether any part of the money was diverted for personal benefit.
The federal probe agency is also looking into the organisation’s ownership and management, the flow of funds and possible links with influential persons, officials said.
Sen had earlier denied the allegations against him.
