ED raids 5 locations in Kolkata; TMC funds, Abhishek’s charter flight costs under scanner amid ‘cut money’ allegations

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched searches at five locations in Kolkata to investigate financial transactions involving the Trinamool Congress (TMC), specifically regarding the charter flight expenses of the party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, the destinations he visited, and the parties involved in these dealings.

On Tuesday morning, separate teams from the ED conducted raids in areas including Central Avenue, Rajarhat-Newtown, and their vicinities. The operation included the office and residence of a businessman known to be close to Abhishek. Sources indicate that the funds for Abhishek’s charter flights originated from this businessman’s company.

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Central investigators are reportedly trying to uncover the link between these payments and the TMC’s official party funds.

According to sources, ED officials also visited the office of a Salt Lake-based company and the residences of its directors. It has been claimed that Abhishek used to charter flights from this company.

Bengal Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, the rebel-group leader who has claimed to heading the ‘real’ Trinamool faction, has alleged that the charter flight costs were covered using money obtained through ‘cut-money’ (illegal commissions) or extortion.

Sources indicate that the ED aims to verify the substance of these allegations and thoroughly investigate the source of these funds.

In addition to this, a BJP MLA has alleged that substantial amounts of ‘cut-money’ were deposited into TMC’s official accounts, and central investigators intend to verify the veracity of this claim.