ED Launches Major Raids in Kolkata Over Alleged Money Laundering Tied to Trinamool Congress

The Enforcement Directorate has launched a series of raids in Kolkata as part of an investigation into alleged money laundering linked to the Trinamool Congress. With over Rs 150 crore suspected to have been misappropriated through aviation and travel companies, the ED's actions have intensified scrutiny on the party's financial dealings. This comes amid ongoing internal disputes within the party regarding its financial management, further complicated by recent court rulings and political pressures. As the situation unfolds, the implications for the Trinamool Congress could be significant.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 7, 2026, 13:56 IST

Enforcement Directorate's Investigative Actions in Kolkata

Kolkata: On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) executed searches at several sites across Kolkata as part of an inquiry into the alleged misdirection of funds associated with the Trinamool Congress. According to officials, around five locations in West Bengal's capital are under scrutiny. Initial investigations indicate that over Rs 150 crore may have been funneled through travel and aviation firms.

The searches included the premises of Carewell Aviation, its directors, and a suspected electoral trust, as reported by ED officials.

Previously, the Kolkata Police had frozen the debit operations of three bank accounts belonging to the party after complaints from dissenting MLAs prompted a request for an investigation into the origins of the funds. This internal conflict over the party's financial resources continues to escalate.

These accounts are believed to contain approximately Rs 440 crore.

On July 2, the Calcutta High Court, while addressing a petition from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the TMC contesting the debit freeze, instructed the private bank to reveal the total amount held in those accounts.

Sources indicated that Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to make decisions regarding the defections within the Trinamool Congress ahead of the Monsoon session of Parliament on July 20, following calls for the disqualification of the rebel MPs by their respective parties.