New Delhi: Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, who has been facing a difficult phase following her defeat in the assembly elections, has received relief from the Calcutta High Court in a case, her first such respite since the polls. While hearing a petition filed by her, the High Court ordered limited transactions for three Trinamool Congress (TMC) bank accounts. Additionally, an officer was appointed to oversee these transactions. Notably, the authority to conduct these transactions has been granted to the Mamata Banerjee faction.
A battle for control over the TMC is currently underway, and this development is being viewed as a major victory for Mamata Banerjee. Following the court’s decision, she gains the right to utilise the crores of rupees deposited in the TMC’s accounts under judicial supervision. She can withdraw the funds and use them for any party-related activities.
Interim measure effective until September 30
A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, presided over by Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, has appointed retired Justice Subrata Talukdar as a Special Officer. In accordance with the court’s order, Justice Talukdar will authorise expenditures only against cheques signed by two TMC office-bearers. The court stated that this interim measure would remain in effect until September 30.
According to the court, funds may be withdrawn from these accounts to cover expenses incurred in running the party. The High Court specified that the Special Officer would not permit any other type of expenditure.
While allowing limited transactions from the TMC’s bank accounts, the court remarked that it was not satisfied with the evidence presented by the police to justify the order freezing the accounts.
Setback for the police
During the hearing, the Calcutta High Court observed that, at this interim stage, it found no evidence to justify the police’s decision to freeze the accounts following the filing of the report. The Calcutta Bench observed, “The FIR was registered on June 18, and the decision to freeze the accounts in haste on June 19 was not justified.
The Court found no evidence indicating the basis for such abrupt measures. It clarified that this interim arrangement did not amount to recognising any specific faction as the ‘real’ TMC; in any case, the matter is currently pending before the Election Commission.
According to a report by Live Law, senior counsel Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the TMC, argued that the debit freeze had virtually brought the functioning of a recognised political party to a standstill, thereby violating constitutional rights.
