Amid escalating internal turmoil, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has suffered a significant setback after police froze three of its bank accounts held at a private bank, effectively halting all financial transactions. It is learnt from the sources that the three accounts together hold approximately RS 440 crore.
With a ‘debit freeze’ imposed, no funds can currently be withdrawn or transferred. Authorities are also attempting to trace additional accounts linked to the party, and further action may follow if any irregularities are detected.
The development comes after days of controversy surrounding financial transactions linked to the party. Recently, former minister and ex-treasurer Aroop Biswas wrote to the bank requesting a temporary suspension of transactions. In his communication, he expressed concerns that unused or blank cheques bearing his signature could potentially be misused.
The situation intensified when MLAs from a dissident faction aligned with Ritabrata Banerjee's camp approached the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station with a formal complaint. They cited specific account numbers and alleged that large sums of money — possibly from illegal or opaque sources — had been deposited into these accounts through misuse of power. The complainants also warned that without prompt intervention, crucial digital evidence could be altered or erased.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the Bidhannagar Cyber Police directed the bank authorities to halt debit transactions on the identified accounts. Police sources confirmed that investigations are underway to examine the flow of funds and identify any additional accounts linked to the party’s financial network.
Officials indicated that legal steps are being prepared to extend similar restrictions to other accounts if warranted by the findings.
The controversy has also spilled into the political arena. Last Thursday, the issue was raised on the floor of the Legislative Assembly, where Ritabrata — who claims leadership of a “Real Trinamool” faction — voiced strong suspicions regarding the alleged inflow of “black money” into party accounts. He argued that given the current volatile political climate, there was a risk of illicit funds or “cut money” being channelled into the party’s finances, and called for immediate freezing of the accounts to ensure transparency.
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