ED
ED raids 5 Kolkata locations in probe into TMC funds and Abhishek Banerjee's chartered flight payments
Kolkata/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday carried out coordinated searches at five locations across Kolkata as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving the bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the funding of chartered flights used by the party's national general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee.
Separate ED teams launched search operations early in the day at premises in Central Avenue, Rajarhat-New Town and nearby areas as investigators examined the flow of funds linked to the case.
Among the properties searched were the office and residence of a businessman believed to have close ties with Abhishek Banerjee.
According to ED sources, investigators are examining allegations that payments for chartered aircraft hired by Banerjee were routed through the businessman's company, Carewell Aviation.
The agency is also scrutinising financial transactions involving the TMC's official bank accounts.
Preliminary findings, according to ED sources, suggest that more than ₹150 crore was allegedly routed through multiple aviation and travel companies, prompting investigators to examine the purpose and movement of the funds.
The searches are part of the agency's efforts to establish the banking trail and determine whether any financial irregularities took place.
Complaint triggered probe
The investigation follows a complaint filed by TMC MLA Ritabrata Banerjee, who alleged that the substantial expenditure on chartered flights was financed through "cut-money" collections and protection rackets.
According to ED sources, the ongoing searches are aimed at verifying those allegations and tracing the source of funds used for the aircraft rentals.
The agency has not yet announced any findings from Tuesday's searches.
The ED action comes amid an ongoing dispute over control of the Trinamool Congress's finances following the party's recent internal split.
Former TMC treasurer Aroop Biswas, after changing political allegiance, requested the authorities of a private bank to freeze the party's accounts, triggering a legal battle over the operation of those accounts.
The dispute is currently before the Calcutta High Court.
High Court yet to grant urgent hearing
The legal tussle over the party's finances continues alongside the ED investigation.
The Calcutta High Court has repeatedly declined requests from the faction aligned with Kalighat Trinamool for an urgent hearing on the matter. The court again refused a plea for an immediate hearing on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate's investigation into the alleged financial transactions and the funding of Abhishek Banerjee's chartered flights remains underway.
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