Agencies | New Delhi:
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday froze three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), containing deposits of ₹440.42 crore, under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with an alleged funds misappropriation case.
The central agency said the action was taken under Section 17(1A) of the PMLA, which empowers authorised officers to freeze assets, including bank deposits, when seizure is not practicable and there is a need to prevent their transfer or disposal. The order is subject to confirmation by the PMLA Adjudicating Authority within the prescribed time frame.
According to the ED, the frozen amount of ₹440.42 crore is held in three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress with HDFC Bank.
TMC Terms Action ‘Politically Motivated’
Reacting strongly to the development, the Trinamool Congress accused the Centre of misusing investigative agencies to target political opponents.
In a statement posted on X, the party said all funds in its bank accounts had been fully disclosed in accordance with the law.
“The party has duly reported all donation transactions to the Election Commission of India and the Income Tax Department. These disclosures are published annually on the Election Commission’s website and are available in the public domain. Details relating to electoral bonds are already available with the Government of India, as the bonds were issued by the State Bank of India and subsequently submitted to the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India,” the statement said.
The Mamata Banerjee-led party described the ED’s action as “arbitrary and illegal”.
“We strongly condemn this arbitrary and illegal action. The misuse of investigative agencies to target political opponents has become a hallmark of the BJP’s politics and represents a serious assault on democratic institutions and the principles of a level playing field,” the party said.
Background of the Probe
The ED’s action follows searches conducted on Tuesday at five locations in Kolkata, including premises linked to Carewell Aviation India Pvt. Ltd., a private jet and charter hiring company.
According to the agency, the investigation was initiated after taking cognisance of an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Cyber Police in Kolkata, alleging dishonest financial transactions, unlawful collection of funds and the routing of suspected proceeds through certain bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress.
The investigation into the alleged money laundering case is continuing.
