Aircraft, Chopper Acquisition Under ED Lens: TMC's 'Dishonest Financial Dealings' Case Deepens

The Enforcement Directorate, on July 7, has flagged a suspected financial trail involving the Trinamool Congress and a Kolkata based aviation firm, Carewell Aviation India Private Limited. According to the agency, nearly Rs 160 crore was transferred from accounts linked to the party to the company and its related entities tentatively over the period between April 2023 and June 2026.The probe, which includes searches across five key locations in Kolkata, has brought focus on the use of these funds. Investigators say a significant portion was used to acquire high value aviation assets, including an Embraer Legacy 600 aircraft and an Agusta 109 SP helicopter, with purchases estimated at around Rs 112 crore. Officials have also pointed to a layered transaction pattern, with over Rs 82 crore routed further to another newly incorporated entity, raising questions over the end use of funds. The ED is examining whether this structuring was intended to complicate the money trail.Another aspect under scrutiny is the possibility of foreign funding in the helicopter deal. The agency is assessing whether any financial or regulatory violations have taken place.In a key finding, the aircraft and helicopter were allegedly leased back to the party after purchase. Documents and digital records seized during the searches are now under analysis as the investigation continues under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. No official response has been issued by the party so far.