The Calcutta High Court has denied interim permission to the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction to operate four bank accounts containing around ₹804 crore. Police had blocked withdrawals from the accounts.
The court said granting the requested relief at this stage could render its earlier order ineffective. In its July 9 order, the court had allowed the political party to access funds to meet its day-to-day expenses.
Justice Saugata Bhattacharya said allowing the party to operate the four accounts separately would make his earlier order “incorrect”. The TMC had sought permission to operate the four accounts held with public sector banks.
The party argued that the FIR concerning the freezing of the accounts contained several deficiencies. The West Bengal government, however, said legal action had been initiated in the criminal case and that the police should be allowed to continue their investigation.
After hearing arguments from both sides, the court said its earlier order already provided for the party’s daily expenses and, therefore, a separate order permitting operation of the four accounts was not necessary at this stage.
Accounts frozen following rebel TMC leaders’ complaint
The accounts were earlier frozen following a complaint filed by rebel TMC leaders and MLAs Ritabrata Banerjee and Sandipan Saha.
The complaint was filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station under the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate on June 18. It alleged that three TMC accounts in a private bank were being used to hold proceeds of crime. Debit transactions from these accounts were blocked the following day after the FIR was registered.
The court has directed both sides to file affidavits setting out their respective positions. The next hearing is scheduled to take place after the Durga Puja holidays.
The news is being updated.
