The Calcutta High Court on Monday retained its earlier order allowing the Kalighat faction of the Trinamool Congress to operate three frozen bank accounts under court supervision until January 29, 2027, despite an interim Election Commission direction on the party’s name and symbol.
Justice Sougata Bhattacharyya observed that the Election Commission had not issued a final decision on the dispute. The commission’s direction concerning the Trinamool Congress name and the twin-flower symbol was interim and linked to upcoming by-elections, the court noted. It therefore declined to alter its earlier position on control of the party funds.
The order means that the Mamata Banerjee-led faction can continue to access the accounts for limited organisational expenses. The accounts will not be available for unrestricted spending. A court-appointed special officer will oversee disbursements for routine party operations and staff salaries.
The dispute concerns three accounts held with a private bank. Police had frozen the accounts following allegations of illegal transactions. The party challenged that action before the High Court, which on July 9 allowed the Kalighat Trinamool faction to operate the accounts subject to conditions and court supervision.
The earlier order also required the appointed officer to release money for the party’s day-to-day activities and employee payments. The arrangement was scheduled to remain in force until January 29, 2027, and the High Court continued it during Monday’s hearing.
The state government had argued that the case should no longer be maintainable because it had been filed in the name of the All India Trinamool Congress. The state’s Additional Advocate General, Rajdeep Majumdar, submitted that the Election Commission’s interim direction had frozen the use of that name and the party symbol, meaning that no political party could currently operate under that identity for the relevant purpose.
The state also cautioned that judicial intervention could create complications if the Election Commission later reached a final decision in favour of one faction. The court nevertheless held that the commission’s direction was not final and that the existing judicial arrangement should continue for now.
During Monday’s hearing, the police submitted a report on their investigation into the alleged illegal transactions in the three accounts. The High Court had previously directed the police to investigate the matter and place its findings before the court. The interim financial arrangement will remain subject to further proceedings and any subsequent decision by the court or the Election Commission.
