₹440 Crore Frozen: Calcutta HC Questions Restrictions on TMC Bank Accounts
- pradeep
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
The Calcutta High Court has directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide details of all bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress and questioned whether a lower civil court could prevent the party from accessing its accounts.
Justice Krishna Rao reserved the order after hearing a petition filed by TMC Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, who sought permission to operate eight accounts frozen by the ED on July 7. (Hindustan Times)
Lower Court Ordered Status Quo
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju informed the High Court that an Alipore civil court had directed the Mamata Banerjee-led faction not to use any party bank account or access the party office.
The lower court reportedly ordered that the existing position be maintained until August 6. (Hindustan Times)
TMC Challenges Ex-Parte Order
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Mamata Banerjee-led group, argued that the civil court had passed the order without hearing his client or serving a proper notice.
He also maintained that only the Election Commission of India could decide which faction should be officially recognised as the political party. (Hindustan Times)
High Court Questions Civil Court’s Authority
Justice Rao reportedly questioned whether a civil court could assume a role normally performed by the Election Commission in deciding the legitimacy of competing political factions.
The High Court also declined to hear the lawyer representing the rival group during this stage of the proceedings, according to the report. (Hindustan Times)
Three Accounts Allowed for Limited Expenses
In a separate order on July 9, Justice Saugata Bhattacharya permitted the Mamata Banerjee-led faction to use three accounts for routine party expenditure and legal costs.
However, the transactions must be supervised by retired High Court judge Subrata Talukdar, who has been appointed as a special officer until September 30. (Hindustan Times)
ED Freezes Around ₹440 Crore
The ED has reportedly frozen approximately ₹440 crore held in the three accounts as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering involving party funds.
The agency is examining allegations that nearly ₹160 crore was routed through Kolkata-based Carewell Aviation for the reported purchase of two aircraft. These remain allegations under investigation and have not been established by a final court ruling. (Hindustan Times)
TMC leader Kunal Ghosh also alleged that at least four additional party accounts were frozen on July 10. (Hindustan Times)
What Happens Next?
The High Court has reserved its decision after seeking complete account details from the ED.
Its ruling could determine whether the party is allowed to operate the frozen accounts, under what restrictions, and whether the lower court’s status-quo order can continue.