Calcutta HC Grants Relief to Mamata Banerjee’s TMC

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) has received relief from the Calcutta High Court, which has allowed the party to operate its frozen bank accounts for daily expenses.

However, the court has imposed a strict condition that the accounts can only be operated under the supervision of a special officer appointed by the court.

The High Court’s decision came during the hearing of a matter related to the freezing of TMC’s bank accounts. While granting limited access, the court questioned the basis of the action taken by the police and expressed dissatisfaction with the evidence presented in support of the account freeze.

High Court Order highlighted

• TMC has been permitted to use its frozen bank accounts for routine daily expenses.
• The accounts will operate under the strict supervision of a special officer appointed by the court.
• The court stated that the evidence submitted for freezing the accounts was insufficient.
• The High Court questioned the urgency and manner in which the police action was carried out.
• Until the Election Commission of India (ECI) gives a final decision on the dispute, the rebel faction of TMC will not be allowed to approach or communicate with the court-appointed special officer.

Court Raises Questions Over Police Action

During the proceedings, the Calcutta High Court criticised the manner in which the bank accounts were frozen, stating that it was not satisfied with the evidence placed before it.

The court observed that the police had failed to establish adequate grounds for such action and raised concerns over the haste with which the decision was taken.

Background of the Case

The dispute is linked to an alleged fund-related case involving the Trinamool Congress. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had initiated an investigation into suspicious bank accounts with a balance of around ₹440 crore.

As part of the investigation:

• ED conducted searches at multiple locations.
• The office of a private aviation company was also searched.
• A debit freeze had already been imposed on the suspicious accounts identified after the Assembly elections.

TMC Faces Internal Split After Bengal Assembly Elections

The controversy comes amid an internal division within the Trinamool Congress following the West Bengal Assembly election results.

According to the details provided, 19 TMC MPs have rebelled against Mamata Banerjee. The group includes several prominent names:

• Kakoli Ghosh
• Shatabdi Roy
• Bapi Halder
• Sayoni Ghosh
• Former cricketer Yusuf Pathan

The dispute has now reached the Election Commission of India, which has issued notices to both factions and sought explanations from them regarding the internal conflict.