Calcutta High Court Permits TMC to Access Frozen Funds Amid Ongoing Dispute; Australia to Supply Uranium to India

In a significant ruling, the Calcutta High Court has granted the Trinamool Congress (TMC) permission to utilize funds from three of its bank accounts that had been frozen by the West Bengal Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This decision comes as the party faces scrutiny over allegations of financial mismanagement. The court has stipulated that these funds can be used strictly for daily operational expenses, monitored by a special officer appointed by the court, until the end of this month.

The freezing of the accounts stemmed from a complaint lodged by rebel TMC MLA Biswanath Das, who accused the party of misusing its financial resources. However, the High Court expressed concerns about the abruptness of the action taken by the authorities, noting that there was insufficient evidence to justify such a drastic measure immediately after a first information report (FIR) was filed.

The TMC has characterized the ED’s move as politically motivated, reflecting the ongoing tensions between the party and the central government. This ruling is viewed as a temporary relief for the TMC, which depends on these funds to maintain its operational activities amidst the allegations that have emerged against it.

In a separate development on the international front, Australia has announced it will commence exporting uranium to India for peaceful purposes, following the finalization of a civil nuclear cooperation agreement between the two nations. This pact had been in limbo since 2014 due to various political considerations and regulatory hurdles.

This announcement was made during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Australia, where he met with his counterpart, Anthony Albanese. While the specifics of the uranium quantities and shipment schedules have not been disclosed, the agreement marks a significant advancement in the bilateral relationship, emphasizing cooperation in the energy sector. Such developments are expected to bolster India’s energy security and support its growing nuclear energy ambitions.

Source: scroll.in