Kolkata, 20 July (H.S.): The Calcutta High Court on Monday refused to grant interim relief to the Trinamool Congress (TMC) in its challenge against the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) decision to freeze three of the party's bank accounts. The court held that it would not interfere with the agency's action at this stage, allowing the accounts to remain frozen until further proceedings.

During the hearing, Justice Krishna Rao observed that no interim order would be passed on the ED's action at the present stage. As a result, the freeze on the three bank accounts will continue pending further consideration of the case.

The ED had frozen the accounts as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities and money laundering. According to the agency, the accounts collectively hold around Rs 440 crore. The probe relates to the alleged laundering of funds and financial irregularities connected with the purchase of an aircraft and a helicopter between April 2023 and June 2026. The ED has also stated that financial transactions involving Carewell Aviation India and one of its associate companies are under investigation.

The Trinamool Congress has strongly denied the allegations, describing the ED's action as politically motivated. The party has maintained that all details relating to its bank accounts and political donations have been disclosed transparently to the Election Commission and the Income Tax Department.

On the basis of these arguments, the TMC had sought an interim stay on the ED's action before the High Court. However, the court declined to grant any immediate relief, meaning the ED's action will remain in force and the party's three bank accounts will continue to remain frozen for the time being.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh