ED conducts searches in TMC bank accounts funds case over alleged Rs 150 crore fund trail
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations in Kolkata as part of an investigation into the alleged routing of suspicious funds through bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), officials said.
The financial probe agency carried out searches at around five premises in the West Bengal capital, including the offices of Carewell Aviation, a Kolkata-based private charter aircraft hiring and leasing company, its directors and a purported electoral trust.
According to preliminary findings, funds amounting to more than ₹150 crore were allegedly routed through aviation and travel-related companies before reaching accounts linked to the party, officials said. The company has not yet issued any official response to queries regarding the searches.
The ED action comes amid an ongoing internal dispute within the TMC over control of the party’s financial resources. Last month, the Kolkata Police froze debit operations of three bank accounts belonging to the party following complaints from rebel MLAs seeking an inquiry into the source of funds.
The frozen accounts are estimated to contain around ₹440 crore. The matter reached the Calcutta High Court, which on July 2 directed the concerned private bank to disclose details of the funds held in the accounts while hearing a petition filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction challenging the freeze.
The probe is also taking place against the backdrop of political turmoil within the party, with a factional dispute over leadership and financial control continuing.
Meanwhile, sources said Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to decide on petitions seeking action against rebel TMC MPs over alleged defections before the Monsoon Session of Parliament begins on July 20.
The ED investigation is ongoing, and further details are awaited.
