KOLKATA, June 20: The debit operations of three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress holding around Rs 440 crore have been frozen following complaints by rebel party MLAs seeking a probe into the source of the funds, deepening the bitter internal battle over control of the party’s financial war chest.
A senior police officer told PTI that the three accounts maintained with a private sector bank were placed under “debit freeze”, preventing withdrawals or outward transactions, though credits may continue to be received.The development comes amid an intensifying power struggle within the TMC between camps led by ex-minister Aroop Biswas and LoP Ritabrata Banerjee over control of the party’s organisational and financial apparatus following its defeat in the recent assembly elections.The freeze follows complaints by 10 MLAs aligned with Banerjee to the cyber crime police station, seeking registration of an FIR and a detailed investigation into the accounts.In their complaints, the legislators questioned the source of funds deposited in the accounts and sought an inquiry into transactions carried out through them.
According to a copy of one of the complaints, the MLAs urged investigators to ascertain whether the funds originated from lawful sources or from alleged unlawful activities, including suspected cut-money collections, diversion of public funds and proceeds of scams.“It has come to my knowledge through reliable circumstances and surrounding developments that certain funds, arising out of illegal activities, including misuse of influence, dishonest financial dealings and suspected unlawful collection of money, may have been routed and subsequently deposited into bank accounts,” the complaint stated.A senior MLA loyal to Mamata Banerjee said the faction had learnt about the police action but was awaiting formal communication. (PTI)
