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A leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) accused federal investigators on Thursday of launching a politically motivated attack after authorities froze $46 million in its bank accounts as part of a money-laundering investigation.
Critics and human rights organizations have accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of misusing law enforcement agencies to target political opponents.
The Enforcement Directorate, India’s primary agency for financial crimes, announced on Wednesday that it was examining alleged illegal transactions involving the TMC, which governed West Bengal for 15 years before the BJP ousted it in May.
Officials allege that between April 2023 and June of this year, $16.8 million was transferred from bank accounts linked to the TMC to an aviation company and related businesses. It is claimed that these funds were used to buy a private jet and a helicopter, which were later leased back to the party.
The TMC denies any misconduct, stating that all funds have been fully and transparently disclosed to authorities.
“Our party condemns the Enforcement Directorate’s decision to freeze our bank accounts as a politically motivated act. We strongly denounce this arbitrary and unlawful action,” the party said in a statement Wednesday. “Misusing investigative agencies to attack political rivals has become a hallmark of the BJP’s tactics and poses a serious threat to democratic institutions and fair play.”
Over the past few years, several Indian opposition leaders have faced criminal probes, including Arvind Kejriwal, the former Delhi chief minister. Kejriwal spent months in jail in 2024 after being arrested over allegations that his administration took kickbacks in connection with liquor license allocations. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Similarly, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, another opposition figure, was detained and jailed in 2024 on corruption charges which he also denies. The BJP insists that corruption investigations are conducted independently and according to the law.
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