An international tourism company in Kolkata has filed a police complaint against former state minister Indranil Sen and his wife for allegedly selling pre-Puja tickets illegally, using the name of UNESCO. The complaint, lodged at Bowbazar Police Station, accuses the couple of running an illicit commercial scheme related to Durga Puja.
Joydeep Mukherjee, representing the international organization, filed the complaint against Indranil Sen and his wife, with a separate complaint also submitted to the Director General of Police. The complaint highlights that Kolkata’s Durga Puja was recognized by UNESCO in 2021, and in 2022, an organization named MassArt, allegedly linked to the Sen couple, engaged in financial activities misusing UNESCO’s name and logo.
MassArt claimed to have partnered with UNESCO to select 24 Durga Puja pandals in Kolkata, a claim disputed by Joydeep Mukherjee. He stated that MassArt had no official agreement with UNESCO and had unlawfully sold pre-Puja tickets using UNESCO’s branding. The financial transactions involved are estimated to be in crores of rupees.
Despite the serious allegations, Indranil Sen has not issued any official response. The complainant revealed that he personally contacted UNESCO after the selection of the 24 pujas, and UNESCO confirmed that they had no commercial ties with MassArt and did not authorize the use of their logo or name.
The incident, dating back to 2022-23, was not reported earlier due to the political climate in the state, as per Mukherjee. He emphasized the need for a thorough investigation, citing the issue’s implications for the country’s reputation. Indranil Sen is yet to address the accusations officially.
