ED freezes TMC’s three bank accounts holding ₹440.42 crore:Probe alleges ₹160 crore routed through aviation firms for aircraft, helicopter purchases

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), Kolkata Zonal Office, has frozen Rs 440.42 crore lying in three HDFC Bank accounts of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) under Section 17(1A) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation. According to an ED press release issued on July 8, the agency conducted search operations at five premises in and around Kolkata linked to the Carewell Group, which operates in the aviation sector. The searches were carried out in connection with an investigation under the PMLA based on an FIR registered by the Cyber Police, Bidhannagar, over alleged dishonest financial dealings, unlawful collection of money, and routing of suspected funds through certain AITC bank accounts. Rs 160 crore allegedly routed to Carewell aviation The ED said its investigation has so far revealed that around Rs 160 crore was allegedly transferred from AITC bank accounts to Carewell Aviation India Pvt. Ltd. and its related entities, primarily between April 2023 and June 2026. According to the agency, Carewell Aviation subsequently routed Rs 82.96 crore to a newly incorporated related entity for the purchase of an Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and an Agusta 109 Grand New helicopter. The ED stated that Rs 112 crore was ultimately used for these purchases. The agency further alleged that an unsecured loan of USD 1.7 million was arranged in 2023 from a Cayman Islands-based entity to finance the helicopter purchase. Aircraft allegedly rented back to AITC The ED alleged that the Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and Agusta helicopter were later rented back to the AITC, despite being purchased using funds allegedly originating from the party’s accounts. It further claimed that substantial amounts were subsequently transferred on the pretext of aircraft usage. The agency said it is examining whether the arrangement was used to conceal the actual purpose and beneficiaries of the financial transactions. The ED said further investigation is underway. ​