Kolkata: ED on Wednesday interrogated former Bengal tourism minister Indranil Sen for nearly 10 hours in connection with its investigation into alleged Durga Puja preview pass scam.According to ED sources, investigators questioned Sen over the usage of the Unesco logo and the association of ‘massArt’ with the organisation. Investigators have come across a 2022 brochure which used both Unesco and ‘massArt’ logos. ED also questioned him about digital passes issued to visitors. On Tuesday, ED officials searched 15 premises linked to Sen.ED suspects massArt, the organisation with which Sen’s wife Madhuchhanda was attached, issued three categories of passes. ‘Platinum Family’ passes allowed two adults, two senior citizens and two kids. They were charged at Rs 4,000 per card. ‘Platinum Couple’ passes allowed two adults and each pass was allegedly priced at Rs 3,500. ‘Platinum Single’ passes allowed one adult at a price of Rs 2,500. Apart from these, there were ‘Gold Couple’ and ‘Gold Single’ passes priced at Rs 3,000 and Rs 2,000 each.Formed in June 2022, massArt showed a tie-up with Unesco and sold preview passes for 24 Puja pandals in Kolkata.It was alleged that buses carrying domestic and foreign visitors under the ‘massArt’ banner would take tourists around selected Durga Puja pandals and to the organisation’s gallery as part of the itinerary.Investigators are trying to find whether visitors purchased handicrafts, sarees, paintings and other artwork under massArt’s initiative.
