India opposition says $46m freeze is political vendetta

An Indian opposition party accused federal investigators of a politically motivated attack after $46 million was frozen in its bank accounts as part of a money-laundering probe.

India's Enforcement Directorate said Wednesday it was investigating alleged illegal transactions involving the Trinamool Congress, or TMC, which governed West Bengal state for 15 years before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party defeated it in May.

The agency said $16.8 million was transferred from TMC-linked bank accounts to an aviation firm and associated companies between April 2023 and June this year. Investigators alleged the funds were used to buy a private jet and a helicopter that were then leased back to the party.

The TMC denied wrongdoing and said all funds had been “fully and transparently disclosed” to authorities.

“The Enforcement Directorate's decision to freeze the party's bank accounts is a politically motivated act,” the party said, calling the action arbitrary and illegal.

Critics and rights groups have accused Modi's government of using law enforcement agencies against political opponents. The BJP has repeatedly said corruption cases are pursued independently and according to law.