Agency: Funds Used To Buy Aircraft & Chopper For ₹112 cr NEW DELHI: In yet another blow to TMC, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen Rs 440 crore in three accounts held by the party with HDFC Bank as part of its investigation into alleged laundering of Rs 160 crore of party funds through a Kolkata-based company, Carewell Aviation. The funds were allegedly used to buy an Embraer 600 aircraft and an Agusta chopper for Rs 112 crore in what ED considers to be dubious transactions. This is the first time the agency has seized bank accounts of a political party.‘Chopper, plane bought from TMC corpus rented to party’ Last month, Kolkata police had frozen debit operations on these three accounts based on complaints from TMC rebel MLAs seeking a probe into the source of the funds. “It is also revealed that $1.7 million was arranged as an unsecured loan in 2023 from a Cayman Islands entity to purchase the said helicopter,” the ED said. These two flying assets were “rented” to TMC, even though they were purchased from the corpus of the party, it claimed. The aircraft and chopper were solely used by a top TMC functionary and more funds were laundered as “rentals” using the aviation firm, the ED claimed. The freeze is seen as a prelude to formal attachments of the three accounts and actions against party functionaries. “The Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and Agusta helicopter were rented to TMC itself, even though they were purchased from the corpus of the party, and substantial amounts were transferred on the pretext of aircraft usage. The above stated dubious arrangement is under probe to ascertain the actual beneficial purpose of the transactions,” the ED said. The money trail could show if TMC functionaries laundered funds through shell entities to create personal assets. Sources said ED may question its functionaries, including Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosBuilding Collapses In Delhi’s Rohini; 1 Dead, Several Trapped; Rescue Ops UnderwayPune Building Buried Under Collapsing Garbage Mound, 16 Feared Trapped Amid Heavy Rain FuryShiv Sena Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Arrested In KDMC Doctors’ Assault Case: PoliceEggs Thrown, ‘Chor-Chor’ Slogans At Mamata Banerjee’s Rally In West BengalRetired Transport Officer’s House Raided: UP Vigilance Recovers ₹1.62 Cr Cash, Gold Worth ₹20 CrOperation Hard Ball: Lawrence Bishnoi, Goldy Brar Among 37 Charged In Largest-Ever Int’l Crime SweepAfter SC Rap, NCERT Removes Chapter On ‘Corruption In Judiciary’ In Revised Class 8 Textbook”Didn’t Raise My Hand..”: Corporator Ramesh Mhatre Expresses Regret For KDMC Hospital Ambush’Welcome To UP 2.0′ TMC MP Mahua Moitra Slams Baruipur Encounter As BJP Defends Police ActionLashkar Commander Zakir Ganai Killed In Encounter In J&K’s Shopian, Hunt On For Second Terrorist123PhotostoriesFrom calling her son a miracle baby, gaining 83 kilos after pregnancy to being body-shamed: When Rupali Ganguly spoke about motherhood, career and lifeQuitting your job? Here’s how to leave on good terms without burning bridgesWalking every day? These 3 additions can make it even better for your heart”It is the key to hydration of grains of rice”: Chef Vikas Khanna shares the secret to making fluffy rice at homeNick Jonas’ interviews reveal 5 relationship tips worth borrowingAfter ‘Alpha’ release, Alia Bhatt swaps athleisure for a statement green Banarasi lehenga by Anita Dongre10 beautiful baby girl names inspired by stars and the skyFrom carpets to mattresses: 7 Smart ways to use baking soda for cleaning everyday household items’You kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince’: Priyanka Chopra on why respect matters more than love for womenApple cider vinegar for hair: Mix it with these ingredients for stronger, longer, and shinier strands123Hot PicksSilver import shortageUS Iran War ImpactNew EPFO portalBaruipur rapeMumbai rainfallConnor MurphyE20 PetrolZhuang ZhouNew EPFO PotralTop TrendingLionel Messi Clash with Egypt CoachIshowspeedBengal Rape Murder CaseFIFA World Cup 2026CBSE Class 10 ResultKetan Agarwal murder caseMumbai rainDelhi rainWeather tomorrowE20 petrol
NEW DELHI: In yet another blow to TMC, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has frozen Rs 440 crore in three accounts held by the party with HDFC Bank as part of its investigation into alleged laundering of Rs 160 crore of party funds through a Kolkata-based company, Carewell Aviation. The funds were allegedly used to buy an Embraer 600 aircraft and an Agusta chopper for Rs 112 crore in what ED considers to be dubious transactions. This is the first time the agency has seized bank accounts of a political party.‘Chopper, plane bought from TMC corpus rented to party’ Last month, Kolkata police had frozen debit operations on these three accounts based on complaints from TMC rebel MLAs seeking a probe into the source of the funds. “It is also revealed that $1.7 million was arranged as an unsecured loan in 2023 from a Cayman Islands entity to purchase the said helicopter,” the ED said. These two flying assets were “rented” to TMC, even though they were purchased from the corpus of the party, it claimed. The aircraft and chopper were solely used by a top TMC functionary and more funds were laundered as “rentals” using the aviation firm, the ED claimed. The freeze is seen as a prelude to formal attachments of the three accounts and actions against party functionaries. “The Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and Agusta helicopter were rented to TMC itself, even though they were purchased from the corpus of the party, and substantial amounts were transferred on the pretext of aircraft usage. The above stated dubious arrangement is under probe to ascertain the actual beneficial purpose of the transactions,” the ED said. The money trail could show if TMC functionaries laundered funds through shell entities to create personal assets. Sources said ED may question its functionaries, including Mamata and Abhishek Banerjee.
