Several Trinamool Congress politicians have faced the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in recent months, drawing harsh criticism on the TMC leadership. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee have frequently accused the BJP-led federal government of abusing central investigation agencies following their party’s defeat in the 2021 Assembly election.
Abhishek Banerjee
Abhishek Banerjee, a Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha MP and Mamata Banerjee’s nephew, has been under investigation by the ED in connection with a money laundering case related to the Bengal coal scandal. The federal investigation agency has questioned Abhishek and his wife Rujira Banerjee.
Partha Chatterjee
The arrest of former Bengal education minister and now suspended Trinamool politician Partha Chatterjee and his close aide Arpita Mukherjee in the multi-crore West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC) scandal has brought severe criticism on the state’s ruling party. The TMC divested Chatterjee of all ministerial and party posts when a large quantity of undeclared cash and jewellery was discovered at Arpita’s houses.
Anubrata Mondal
On August 11, 2022, Trinamool Congress strongman Anubrata Mondal was detained by the CBI in a livestock smuggling case. In response to Mondal’s detention, Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya stated that the TMC has a zero tolerance stance for anyone proven to be involved in immoral acts.
“In this instance, we shall adhere to the same policy. At the same time, I’d want to inquire whether central agencies such as the ED and CBI are acting impartially by remaining mute and passive in the case of erring BJP politicians, whether in West Bengal or elsewhere in the country “Bhattacharya explained.
Vinay Mishra
The ED attached assets worth Rs 13.63 crore belonging to a firm related to TMC youth wing leader Vinay Mishra and his brother Vikas Mishra in a money laundering inquiry in July 2022. The money laundering case was filed in response to a CBI FIR alleging a multi-crore rupee coal pilferage scheme involving Eastern Coalfields Limited mines in the Kunustoria and Kajora regions of Asansol.
Manik Bhattacharya
Manik Bhattacharya, a TMC MLA and former president of the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education, was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering element of the SSC Teacher Recruitment fraud. He was called following the arrest of Partha Chatterjee.
