High Court Grants Interim Relief to Trinamool Congress
The Calcutta High Court on Thursday allowed the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to operate its frozen bank accounts for day-to-day administrative expenses until September 30. The order came as an interim relief for the ruling party in West Bengal, which had been unable to access its funds since the accounts were frozen following a directive from the Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier this year.
Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya, hearing the petition filed by the TMC, directed that the party can use the accounts solely for routine functioning, including payment of salaries, office maintenance, and election-related expenses for upcoming by-elections. The court appointed retired judge Subrata Talukdar as a special officer to oversee and verify all transactions to ensure compliance with the court's directives.
Background of the Account Freeze
The TMC's bank accounts were frozen in March 2026 after the ECI alleged irregularities in the party's funding during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The commission had cited discrepancies in the party's electoral bond disclosures and contributions from foreign sources. The TMC challenged the freeze in the Calcutta High Court, arguing that it was politically motivated and hampered the party's ability to function.
According to the TMC's petition, the party had submitted all required documents to the ECI and had not violated any laws. The party claimed that the freeze was affecting its daily operations, including the payment of staff salaries and rent for party offices across the state.
Conditions Imposed by the Court
The court allowed the TMC to access its accounts but imposed several conditions to ensure transparency. All transactions must be approved by the special officer, who will submit a report to the court every two weeks. The party is also required to maintain a separate ledger of all expenses made from the frozen accounts.
"The special officer will ensure that the funds are used only for legitimate purposes and not for any political activity that could influence the upcoming elections," the court said in its order. The TMC has been asked to provide a detailed list of expenditures to the court by October 5.
Reactions from Political Parties
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh welcomed the order, calling it a "victory for democracy." He said, "The court has recognized that freezing our accounts was an attempt to cripple the party. We will comply with all conditions and look forward to a full hearing."
The BJP, however, criticized the decision. State BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, "The TMC is using legal loopholes to evade accountability. The court should have waited for the ECI's investigation to conclude." The ECI has not yet commented on the order.
Next Hearing Scheduled
The matter will be heard again on October 10, 2026, when the court will review the special officer's report and consider whether to extend the interim relief. The TMC has also filed a separate petition challenging the constitutional validity of the ECI's power to freeze accounts, which is pending before a division bench.
