ED
ED freezes TMC deposits worth ₹440 crore as money laundering probe deepens
New Delhi/Kolkata/IBNS: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen bank deposits worth Rs 440 crore belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) in Kolkata under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), intensifying its investigation into alleged financial transactions linked to the party's accounts.
The action, taken on Wednesday, comes as the central agency continues to examine the movement of funds allegedly routed through multiple aviation, travel and allied service firms.
According to the ED, investigators are examining allegations that more than Rs 150 crore was routed through a network of aviation, travel and related companies.
The agency is probing whether money used to hire chartered aircraft during the TMC's campaign for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections was layered through multiple entities to conceal the origin of the funds.
The money laundering investigation began after a complaint lodged in June alleged that proceeds from a major cyber fraud had been transferred into certain TMC bank accounts.
Based on the complaint, police registered an FIR and froze debit transactions from three accounts of the party before the ED initiated its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Officials are now scrutinising transactions across at least 18 TMC bank accounts as part of the ongoing probe.
Multiple firms under ED scanner
The investigation also covers financial dealings involving several companies, including Carewell Travels, Windborne Aviation and Anita Tours.
The ED is examining whether transactions involving these firms have any connection with the alleged movement of funds under investigation.
As part of the investigation, ED teams carried out coordinated searches at five locations across Kolkata on Tuesday.
The searches covered the offices of Carewell Travels, an electoral trust and a chartered accountant. During the operation, investigators seized documents and electronic devices for further examination.
Aircraft purchases also under scrutiny
The Enforcement Directorate is also investigating the acquisition of aircraft by Carewell Aviation between 2023 and 2026.
Officials are examining whether those purchases were linked to the financial transactions currently under investigation as part of the broader money laundering probe.
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