Kolkata: The special investigation team probing the Durga Puja pass ‘scam’ on Friday searched the Kasba residence of arrested former state minister Indranil Sen.Police sources said the search was linked to the inquiry into Mass Art and to verify whether meetings of the organisation were held at Indrnil’s residence. His wife Madhuchhanda, who is said to be associated with Mass Art, had earlier been questioned.Lalbazar officials said Unesco has informed investigators that it had no contract with Mass Art.The SIT has so far frozen 27 bank accounts linked to two key accused in the case. One of them is Dhrubajyoti Basu, also known as Suvo, secretary of Mass Art and associated with Tala Prottoy. Investigators are examining his role in the alleged use of Unesco’s name to sell Durga Puja preview passes.Police are also looking into allegations that two of three firms under scrutiny are linked to Indranil’s daughter Abheri, who was questioned on Thursday. Officers suspect that these firms received work connected to Durga Puja preview arrangements. The SIT is likely to contact all 24 Durga Puja organisers connected with the preview events.Investigators are also checking whether the same set of firms regularly received govt-related contracts during Indranil’s tenure as minister.One contract relates to Chandernagore’s Jagaddhatri Puja. The information and cultural affairs department issued the tender on Oct 8, 2025. One firm was disqualified over procedural issues. Of the remaining two, the firm that quoted the lowest amount, Rs 4,45,115, won the contract.Police are also examining a tender for state govt’s “State Day” programme at Dhono Dhanyo auditorium. The tender was floated this Feb. Records show the same three firms also participated in this process. The firm that had finished second in the earlier bid won this contract worth nearly Rs 45 lakh.Another tender being reviewed is for Barisha Poush Utsav in Dec 2024. Police sources said the same three firms had participated in that tender as well. The company whose application had been rejected in the Chandernagore Puja tender later won this contract for about Rs 39 lakh.A police source said Sen’s five personal bank accounts showed low balances and no major transactions in recent years. However, investigators claim that accounts belonging to some family members and linked corporate entities showed higher inward and outward transactions.
