New Delhi: The Supreme Court has dismissed the appeal filed against the freezing of four bank accounts of the Trinamool Congress party, led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Based on a complaint filed by a dissident faction of the Trinamool Congress, the West Bengal Police froze the party’s four accounts with Indian Bank.
A case was filed against this in the Calcutta High Court, but since no relief was granted there, Mamata Banerjee’s side appealed to the Supreme Court.
The petition came up for hearing before judges M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale. At that time, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Mamata Banerjee, said, “The police are acting with the aim of crippling the party’s day-to-day functioning.
The money in the Trinamool Party’s accounts is meant for routine party work. With by-elections now due, at least Rs. 12.15 crore is needed per month. Since the bank accounts have been frozen, the party’s functioning has been completely affected,” he argued.
Appearing on behalf of the West Bengal Police, Solicitor General of India Tushar Mehta said, “In this case, an investigation is under way into money laundering and financial irregularities. An inquiry is also being conducted into the payment of Rs. 35 crore in cash through a party aide.”
After hearing arguments from both sides, the judges said they did not want to go into the merits of the case and did not want to use their jurisdiction, and dismissed the petition. At the same time, they also ordered that the case pending in the Calcutta High Court be expedited and decided soon.
