Trinamool moves Calcutta HC over frozen ₹440 crore bank accounts
Synopsis
A ruling party is suing to unfreeze its own accounts — frozen at the request of its former treasurer and rebel MLAs. The Trinamool Congress's ₹440 crore bank dispute has gone from an internal reshuffle row to a Calcutta High Court case in under three weeks, exposing a deep faultline within Mamata Banerjee's party after its Assembly election setback.
Key Takeaways
Trinamool Congress moved the Calcutta High Court on 22 June to challenge the freezing of three party bank accounts.
The accounts at a private bank's Central Plaza branch, Kolkata reportedly hold a combined ₹440 crore .
Former treasurer Aroop Biswas requested the freeze, claiming he still held the post despite being replaced by Subhasish Chakraborty on 5 June .
Around 10 rebel TMC MLAs formally asked Bidhannagar South Police to freeze the accounts on 19 June ; police acted and launched an investigation.
Rebel leader Ritabrata Banerjee backed the freeze, calling for a probe into alleged 'cut money' in the accounts.
A formal court hearing before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya is expected later this week.
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday, 22 June approached the Calcutta High Court seeking judicial intervention after Bidhannagar South Police froze three of the party's bank accounts held at a private bank's Central Plaza branch in Kolkata. The party is demanding clarity on whose authority authorised the freeze and on what legal grounds — with the accounts reportedly holding a combined ₹440 crore.
How the Court Case Began
Trinamool lawyers sought permission to file a petition before the bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya, which the court accepted. A formal hearing is expected later this week. The move marks a rare instance of a ruling state party taking its own internal financial dispute to the judiciary.
The Internal Conflict Behind the Freeze
The crisis traces back to an organisational reshuffle announced on 5 June, following the party's poor showing in the state Assembly elections. The TMC replaced longtime treasurer Aroop Biswas with former MP Subhasish Chakraborty. However, Biswas reportedly wrote to the private bank — claiming he still held the treasurer's position — and requested that the three accounts be frozen, citing a dispute over control of party funds.
The bank acted on the letter, temporarily suspending transactions on the accounts. The party leadership responded by issuing a show-cause notice to Biswas. In a three-page reply, Biswas raised pointed questions about internal financial dealings, alleging that transactions were conducted without his knowledge despite him being responsible for bookkeeping.
Rebel MLAs Escalate the Row
The dispute widened on 19 June when around 10 rebel Trinamool MLAs formally requested Bidhannagar South Police Station to freeze the accounts immediately. Police launched an investigation and the accounts were subsequently frozen. Ritabrata Banerjee, Leader of the rebel Trinamool MLAs and Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, backed Biswas's stand, saying: 'Who knows whether there is money from the cut money (illegal commission) in that account or not. I agree with Aroop Biswas. There should be an investigation.'
What the TMC Leadership Says
The Trinamool Congress, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has moved the High Court to challenge the freeze, framing it as an unauthorised action that undermines the party's legitimate leadership. The party is seeking a court order to determine the legal basis for the police's intervention in what it characterises as an internal organisational matter.
What Happens Next
With the Calcutta High Court set to hear the matter formally later this week, the case is likely to test the boundaries between police authority, banking procedure, and intra-party governance. The outcome could have significant implications for how internal party disputes — particularly those involving large financial stakes — are adjudicated in India.
Point of View
Especially given Ritabrata Banerjee's pointed reference to 'cut money.' Mamata Banerjee's post-election reshuffle was meant to signal renewal; instead, it has triggered a legal battle that hands the Opposition a ready-made accountability narrative and raises uncomfortable questions about how party funds of this scale were accumulated and managed.
NationPress
22 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Trinamool Congress move the Calcutta High Court?
The TMC approached the Calcutta High Court on 22 June after police froze three of its bank accounts, reportedly holding ₹440 crore. The party is seeking judicial clarity on whose authority ordered the freeze and on what legal grounds it was carried out.
Who requested the freezing of Trinamool's bank accounts?
Former party treasurer Aroop Biswas wrote to the private bank requesting the freeze, claiming he was still the legitimate treasurer. Around 10 rebel TMC MLAs separately approached Bidhannagar South Police on 19 June with the same demand, after which police froze the accounts.
What triggered the dispute within Trinamool Congress?
Following a poor performance in the state Assembly elections, the TMC announced an organisational reshuffle on 5 June, replacing Aroop Biswas as treasurer with former MP Subhasish Chakraborty. Biswas disputed the change, setting off the financial and legal standoff.
What did Aroop Biswas allege in his reply to the show-cause notice?
In a three-page response, Biswas raised questions about the party's internal financial transactions, alleging that dealings were conducted without his knowledge even though he was responsible for bookkeeping.
When will the Calcutta High Court hear the case?
The court accepted the TMC's application on 22 June, with the formal hearing before Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya expected later this week.
