ED targets ex-Trinamool councillor Debraj Chakraborty in ₹100 crore assets case
Synopsis
A former Trinamool Congress councillor arrested in a ₹100 crore disproportionate assets case is now on the ED's radar for money laundering — and the Calcutta High Court has already denied him anticipatory bail. With his MLA wife granted interim relief on humanitarian grounds, the federal probe adds a sharp new dimension to one of West Bengal's most politically charged corruption cases.
Key Takeaways
Debraj Chakraborty , former TMC councillor of Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation , was arrested by West Bengal Police on Wednesday evening in Purulia .
The Enforcement Directorate is preparing to file an ECIR against Chakraborty for money laundering ; Kolkata regional office awaits clearance from New Delhi headquarters.
The couple allegedly transferred assets worth at least ₹100 crore anonymously before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections .
The Calcutta High Court rejected Chakraborty's anticipatory bail; his wife, former MLA Aditi Munshi , received interim anticipatory bail citing their four-month-old daughter .
Munshi, a co-accused, is also alleged to have understated assets in her 2026 election affidavit ; she lost the polls.
Former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Debraj Chakraborty of the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation in North 24 Parganas, arrested by the West Bengal Police in a disproportionate assets case, has now come under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Chakraborty was taken into custody on Wednesday evening in Purulia, and central agency officials have since sought case documents and charge details from the state police.
ED Moves Toward Money Laundering Probe
According to sources familiar with the matter, the ED is preparing to file an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Chakraborty on money laundering charges. Once filed, the agency — the investigation arm of the Union Finance Ministry — will launch a parallel probe independent of the state police case.
The ED's Kolkata regional office has reportedly communicated its preliminary observations to the agency's headquarters in New Delhi and is currently awaiting clearance to formally register the ECIR and begin its money laundering investigation.
Calcutta High Court Denies Bail to Chakraborty
Last week, a single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court — presided over by Justice Jay Sengupta — rejected Chakraborty's anticipatory bail application. On the same day, however, the court granted interim anticipatory bail to his wife, former TMC MLA Aditi Munshi, a co-accused in the same case. Munshi, an acclaimed devotional singer, was granted relief on humanitarian grounds given that the couple has a four-month-old daughter.
The Allegations: ₹100 Crore in Hidden Assets
Investigators allege that Aditi Munshi, who served as the TMC MLA from the Rajarhat-Gopalpur Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas, and her husband transferred assets worth at least ₹100 crore anonymously — routing them through the names of relatives and acquaintances — ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
The charges against the couple include assets disproportionate to known income, concealment of assets, and money laundering. Munshi is additionally accused of understating her assets in the election affidavit she filed for the recently concluded Assembly polls, in which she was defeated. Chakraborty was widely regarded as an influential figure within the Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation area.
What Happens Next
Once the ED receives the green signal from its New Delhi headquarters, the ECIR will be formally registered and a separate federal investigation into the money laundering angle will commence. This case is part of a broader pattern of ED scrutiny directed at TMC-linked figures in West Bengal, where disproportionate assets allegations have surfaced repeatedly in recent electoral cycles. The outcome of the ED probe could have significant political implications, given Munshi's profile as a public figure and the scale of assets allegedly concealed.
Point of View
Followed by a federal money laundering overlay that effectively strips the accused of bail protections available under ordinary criminal law. What stands out here is the scale — ₹100 crore allegedly routed through proxies ahead of a state election — and the fact that the Calcutta High Court has already denied anticipatory bail to Chakraborty while granting relief to Munshi on humanitarian grounds. The split ruling underscores judicial caution rather than exoneration. For the TMC, this case arrives at a sensitive moment, adding to a growing list of party-linked figures facing central agency scrutiny in the post-2026 election environment.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Debraj Chakraborty arrested?
Debraj Chakraborty was arrested by the West Bengal Police in connection with a disproportionate assets case. Investigators allege that he and his wife, former TMC MLA Aditi Munshi, transferred assets worth at least ₹100 crore anonymously through relatives and acquaintances before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.
What is the ED's role in this case?
The Enforcement Directorate is preparing to file an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against Chakraborty on money laundering charges. The ED's Kolkata regional office has communicated its preliminary findings to New Delhi headquarters and is awaiting clearance to begin a parallel federal investigation.
What did the Calcutta High Court decide on bail?
Justice Jay Sengupta of the Calcutta High Court rejected Chakraborty's anticipatory bail plea. On the same day, the court granted interim anticipatory bail to his wife, Aditi Munshi, citing the couple's four-month-old daughter as humanitarian grounds.
Who is Aditi Munshi and what are the allegations against her?
Aditi Munshi is a former TMC MLA from the Rajarhat-Gopalpur Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas and an acclaimed devotional singer. She is a co-accused in the disproportionate assets case and is additionally alleged to have understated her assets in her 2026 election affidavit; she lost that election.
What happens next in the Debraj Chakraborty case?
Once the ED receives headquarters approval, it will formally register the ECIR and launch a money laundering probe separate from the state police investigation. The outcome of that probe could determine whether Chakraborty faces arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which carries stricter bail conditions.
