Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Faction Moves Calcutta HC Over Access to Party Funds

The petition was filed before a single-judge bench of Justice Saugata Bhattacharyya. The faction alleged that it was being prevented from accessing funds needed for routine expenses, including office rents and employee salaries, ahead of the Durga Puja festivities.

The petition also sought permission to operate the three accounts and requested an urgent hearing, arguing that the restrictions were affecting the party's day-to-day functioning. While Justice Bhattacharyya admitted the petition, he declined the request for an immediate hearing.

The matter is expected to come up after the High Court reopens following the festive vacation.

In its plea, the faction also raised questions over the special officer's demand for clarification on whether the new party name and electoral symbol allotted to it were limited to the upcoming Assembly bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar.

The dispute over the bank accounts began after the West Bengal Police froze three Trinamool Congress accounts maintained with a private bank, citing alleged illegal transactions. The Mamata Banerjee-led faction subsequently challenged the action before the Calcutta High Court.

Justice Bhattacharyya had appointed a special officer to oversee the accounts during the proceedings. On July 9, the court directed that the Mamata Banerjee-led faction could exercise control over the accounts for the time being.

However, the order placed restrictions on how the funds could be used. The court said withdrawals could not be made without oversight and directed the special officer to facilitate payments required for the party's routine functioning, including salaries. The arrangement was initially ordered to remain in place until January 29, 2027.

The issue was revisited by the court last month after the Election Commission of India froze the use of the name "All India Trinamool Congress" and the party's original electoral symbol, the "Flowers & Grass" symbol, amid the dispute between the two factions.

The state government's counsel had argued that neither faction should be allowed to operate the accounts because they continued to be held in the name of the All India Trinamool Congress. Justice Bhattacharyya, however, did not accept that argument, observing that the Election Commission's decision concerned the party's name and electoral symbol and was not yet final.

The court consequently maintained that the Mamata Banerjee-led faction could continue accessing the accounts through the court-appointed special officer until January 29, 2027.