Kolkata | A dispute over the operation and control of nearly ₹440 crore held in three bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has escalated into a legal battle, with the Calcutta High Court issuing notices to the concerned bank, the West Bengal government and other parties. Of the total amount, ₹260 crore is held in the party’s central account, while ₹180 crore is deposited in the accounts of two state units.
The controversy emerged amid an internal organisational dispute within the party following the West Bengal Assembly elections. Rival factions have laid claim to the party’s organisational leadership as well as its financial resources, leading to a standoff over the authority to operate the bank accounts.
FCRF’s Flagship Cyber Law Certification Returns With a New Four-Week Cohort
The faction led by Mamata Banerjee has approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the actions taken regarding the accounts. The matter was mentioned before the court of Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya, where senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the petitioner, sought an early hearing.
The High Court observed that notices must first be issued to all concerned parties, including the police, the bank and the state government, before the matter can be heard in detail. The court said the next date of hearing would be fixed after the respondents are formally notified.
According to reports, the dispute intensified after conflicting claims over the party’s leadership surfaced following the elections. One faction, led by Ritabrata Bandyopadhyay, has claimed to represent the legitimate organisational structure of the party, while the group led by Mamata Banerjee continues to assert its authority over both the organisation and its financial assets. The disagreement subsequently extended to the operation of the party’s bank accounts.
Sources said former party treasurer Aroop Biswas had written to the bank objecting to the operation of the accounts. Subsequently, acting on a complaint from the rival faction, police reportedly instructed the concerned bank not to permit any transactions from the three accounts until further orders. Police have also sought documents relating to the accounts as part of their inquiry.
The Mamata Banerjee faction has challenged the actions of the police and the bank before the Calcutta High Court, contending that the restrictions imposed on the party’s accounts are legally unsustainable. The matter is now awaiting further judicial consideration.
