Kolkata/New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday conducted searches at multiple locations in Kolkata as part of an investigation into the alleged routing of suspect funds through bank accounts linked to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), officials said.

Around five locations in the West Bengal capital are being searched as part of the probe.

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Over ₹150 crore allegedly routed through firms

According to preliminary findings, funds worth more than ₹150 crore were allegedly routed through aviation and travel-related companies, officials said.

The ED is searching the premises of Carewell Aviation, a Kolkata-based private charter aircraft hiring and leasing company, along with the residences of its directors and a purported electoral trust.


TMC bank accounts under scrutiny

The investigation comes amid an internal dispute within the opposition party over control of its finances.

Last month, the Kolkata Police froze debit operations of three TMC bank accounts following complaints from rebel party MLAs seeking an investigation into the source of funds. The accounts are estimated to contain around ₹440 crore.


Court seeks details of frozen accounts

The Calcutta High Court on July 2 directed the private bank concerned to reveal the total funds held in the Trinamool Congress’ bank accounts. The order came while the court was hearing a petition filed by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction challenging the debit freeze on the party’s accounts.

Meanwhile, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to take a decision on the defections in the Trinamool Congress before the Monsoon session of Parliament begins on July 20. This came after demands of the rebel MPs' disqualification by their parent parties.

(With agency inputs)