Supreme Court declines to unfreeze TMC faction's frozen bank accounts

The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a petition from the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction that asked for permission to use four bank accounts frozen in connection with a land-allotment money-laundering investigation. Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said they would not examine the merits because the Calcutta High Court is still hearing the case and scheduled further arguments after the Puja holidays. The faction, represented by senior lawyers Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Shoeb Alam, claimed it requires about ₹19 crore each month for operational costs, especially with an upcoming October 6 by-election, and noted an administrator has been appointed to manage expenditures.

The state’s solicitor general Tushar Mehta pointed to serious charges, including a claim that Sumit Roy, personal secretary to lawmaker Abhishek Banerjee, deposited a “huge” ₹35 crore cash amount. Rebel faction counsel K Parmeshwar argued that until the Election Commission decides which group is the legitimate TMC, neither side should control the accounts. The court warned that any opinion on the merits could affect the pending high court proceedings. The Election Commission recently assigned the Mamata-led faction the name “Mamata All India Trinamool Congress” and a football symbol for the by-polls, while the rival received the “Democratic Trinamool Congress” name and an envelope symbol.