Supreme Court rejects TMC plea to unfreeze four bank accounts

The Supreme Court of India has dismissed a plea by the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction seeking to operate four debit-frozen bank accounts. The court declined to interfere with a previous Calcutta High Court order that refused interim relief to the party.

The accounts, held with Indian Bank, were frozen following an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police. Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that the freeze hampers the party’s operations, noting that the TMC requires approximately Rs 12.15 crore per month for expenses. He further contended that these accounts are distinct from other HDFC accounts previously cleared by the High Court for controlled withdrawals.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta opposed the plea, citing ongoing investigations into disputed financial transactions and factional disputes within the party. The Supreme Court noted that because the Election Commission has frozen the party symbol, the question of who is entitled to the funds remains subject to adjudication. The bench requested the Calcutta High Court to expedite the hearing on the matter.