Kolkata (08.07.2026): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search-and-seizure operations across Kolkata, Salt Lake and New Town on July 7, 2026 as part of a probe into alleged money laundering through bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress.
The investigation centred on allegations that more than Rs 150 crore from the party's bank accounts had been routed through various aviation and travel companies for suspected irregular transactions. One of the premises searched was the office of an aviation company that had provided chartered flights to Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, party chief Mamata Banerjee and other leaders during election campaigns and on other occasions. The company is under the ED's scanner as part of the investigation.
Among the addresses raided were the residence of a Salt Lake-based businessman and an office in central Kolkata, near the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar. A section of ED officials said funds of political parties can come under the agency's scanner under specific provisions of the PMLA that deal with offences committed by "companies".
The search-and-seizure operation came within weeks of Aroop Biswas, Trinamool's former treasurer, writing to a private bank on June 12 requesting that the party's accounts be frozen. The letter prompted a faction of Trinamool leaders, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, to lodge a police complaint alleging that the bank accounts could contain "proceeds of crime". The three bank accounts were subsequently frozen. A legal battle is underway in Calcutta High Court over ownership of the accounts, which collectively hold around Rs 440 crore.
ED Conducts Search-And-Seizure Operations Into TMC Accounts Across Kolkata
By IndianMandarins - 2026-07-08 12:44:00
Kolkata (08.07.2026): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search-and-seizure operations across Kolkata, Salt Lake and New Town on July 7, 2026 as part of a probe into alleged money laundering through bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress.
The investigation centred on allegations that more than Rs 150 crore from the party's bank accounts had been routed through various aviation and travel companies for suspected irregular transactions. One of the premises searched was the office of an aviation company that had provided chartered flights to Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, party chief Mamata Banerjee and other leaders during election campaigns and on other occasions. The company is under the ED's scanner as part of the investigation.
Among the addresses raided were the residence of a Salt Lake-based businessman and an office in central Kolkata, near the Kolkata Police headquarters in Lalbazar. A section of ED officials said funds of political parties can come under the agency's scanner under specific provisions of the PMLA that deal with offences committed by "companies".
The search-and-seizure operation came within weeks of Aroop Biswas, Trinamool's former treasurer, writing to a private bank on June 12 requesting that the party's accounts be frozen. The letter prompted a faction of Trinamool leaders, led by Ritabrata Banerjee, to lodge a police complaint alleging that the bank accounts could contain "proceeds of crime". The three bank accounts were subsequently frozen. A legal battle is underway in Calcutta High Court over ownership of the accounts, which collectively hold around Rs 440 crore.
