The Calcutta High Court recently denied anticipatory bail to former minister Indranil Sen in a case of alleged financial irregularities pertaining to the sale of Durga puja tickets under UNESCO's name [Indranil Sen v. The State of West Bengal].
Justice Tirthankar Ghosh observed that the allegations of misuse of official position by Sen could not be ruled.
"There are trappings of corruption, as government money was diverted through tender process which has enriched the petitioner and his family members. Petitioner was at the helm of affairs and was primarily responsible being a government servant i.e. the Minister of Information and Cultural Affairs Department," the Court said.
Sen was booked by Bowbazar police station on June 9.
It is alleged that he cheated people in the name of religion from 2022 -2024 through an organisation named Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society which, it was claimed, was associated with UNESCO.
The same was done for the purpose of selling tickets of preview shows during Durga puja.
Senior Advocate Jishnu Saha, who represented Sen, said that the sale of tickets and donor passes was minimal and did not require the support of the government or any minister.
With regard to the case of diversion of government funds, he submitted that the accusations against Sen were made solely because of a change in government. He further said that Sen's assets were substantial because of his earnings as an established singer.
Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumder said Sen had abused his position to funnel government money into his and his family members' bank accounts through shell companies, one of which was Mahanirban Road Mass Art Society.
Taking the submissions into consideration, the Court on October 15 denied bail to the accused.
"Having regard to the merits of the case, I am of the opinion that the Petitioner has failed to make out a case in respect of the relief(s) [anticipatory bail plea] prayed for," the Court said.
Senior Advocate Jishnu Saha with advocates Ayan Poddar, Soham Dutta, Shounak Mondal and Gargi Mukhopadhyay appeared for Sen.
Additional Advocate General Rajdeep Mazumdar, Public Prosecutor Kallol Mondal with advocates Aditya Tiwari, Moyukh Mukherjee, Sayan Mukherjee and Koustav Lal Mukherjee appeared for the State.
Advocate Atanu Ghosh appeared for the de-facto complainant.
[Read Order]