ED Searches Ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen's Properties in UNESCO Fund Case

The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday carried out searches at multiple properties linked to former West Bengal tourism minister Indranil Sen, as part of a probe into the alleged collection of funds in the name of a United Nations body.

According to officials, a farmhouse belonging to Sen in Singur, in Hooghly district, and his residence in Kolkata's Kasba area were among the premises being searched. In all, ten locations across the city, including Highland Park, were covered, sources said. The home of a close relative of the former minister was also searched.

Central force personnel accompanied the ED teams and cordoned off the areas where the operations were under way.

Sen's wife, Madhuchhanda, is also named as an accused in the case. Preliminary reports indicate that a businessman close to the former minister is among those allegedly involved in collecting funds using the name of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

The matter traces back to a police complaint filed in June by a West Bengal resident, who alleged that money had been extorted by misusing a UNESCO tag during Durga Puja by the former minister and a company.

Sen contested this year's West Bengal assembly election as a Trinamool Congress candidate from Hooghly and lost.

Reacting to the development, BJP leader and minister Dilip Ghosh said the government was acting on a complaint of corruption. "Immediate action will be taken on complaints. Money collection has started in the name of Durga Puja. All this is illegal and the government is taking measures against it," he said.