New Delhi: In a setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) faction, the Supreme Court on Thursday (October 1) refused to interfere in a matter related to the freezing of four accounts by the West Bengal Police. These accounts reportedly contain around Rs 440 crore. The apex court dismissed the petition while asking the Calcutta High Court to expedite the hearing in the matter.
During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing the Banerjee-led faction, argued against the freezing of the accounts, contending that such action could effectively prevent a political party from functioning.
“If the police can successfully freeze all the accounts, that is the best way of stopping political activities,” Singhvi submitted before the court.
Meanwhile, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the West Bengal government and police, pointed to the dispute between the two TMC factions and said the question of which faction represents the “real TMC” is currently pending before the Election Commission of India.
“Now there are two factions of TMC. Now, which is the real TMC? The issue is pending before ECI. But I’m on another aspect. This matter is pending before the Calcutta HC. It’s been now kept for post some vacations. I agree it’s a long date. An order can be passed to advance the hearing,” Mehta told the bench.
While passing its order, the Supreme Court noted the submissions concerning the accounts as well as the ongoing dispute over the party’s symbol.
“Senior counsel contends that the earlier orders passed pertain to a different set of accounts. SG submits present case involves new allegations regarding government land being sold. The order dated 17.9.2026 by EC has frozen the symbol and therefore the larger issue as to who is entitled to the amount is pending adjudication. Arguments may be decided in the main case,” the bench observed.
The Supreme Court declined to examine the merits of the dispute at this stage and refused to exercise its jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution.
“We refrain from going into the merits. We are not inclined to exercise our jurisdiction under Article 136. We request the High Court to expedite the hearing,” the bench said.
The court consequently declined to grant relief to the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC faction, leaving the issue to be considered by the Calcutta High Court.
The Supreme Court also noted that the larger question of who is entitled to operate the bank accounts remains to be adjudicated, particularly in light of the Election Commission’s September 17 order freezing the party symbol amid the dispute between the rival factions.
In June this year, the TMC’s debit operations of three bank accounts holding nearly Rs 440 crore were frozen following complaints by rebel party MLAs seeking an investigation into the source of the funds.