1 day ago
TMC Calls ED Search of Nadimul Haque ‘Operation Lotus 2.0’
The Enforcement Directorate searched places connected to politician Nadimul Haque and the Urdu newspaper Akhbar-E-Mashriq.
The searches happened in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi.
Haque’s party, the Trinamool Congress, said the action was meant to pressure him politically.
The party called this alleged campaign “Operation Lotus 2.0.”
The agency said it was investigating possible money laundering and suspicious newspaper funding.
It also alleged that the newspaper overstated its circulation and had questionable cash transactions.
The party said Haque’s money was legitimate and his taxes were paid.
Haque may challenge the matter in court.
The Enforcement Directorate searched seven premises linked to Nadimul Haque and Akhbar-E-Mashriq in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi.
The Trinamool Congress described the action as “Operation Lotus 2.0” aimed at pressuring legislators not to switch parties.
The ED said its money-laundering probe concerns alleged inflated circulation, suspicious funding, cash transactions and communal-content dissemination by the newspaper.
TMC rejected the allegations, saying Haque’s finances were legitimate, taxes were paid and the search was excessively prolonged.
The probe stems from a Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate FIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque, and Akhbar-E-Mashriq Private Limited are central to the case.
- What
- The ED searched seven premises linked to Haque and the Urdu newspaper as part of a money-laundering probe.
- Where
- The premises were in Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi, including Haque’s official Delhi residence, which also serves as a TMC office.
- When
- The searches began on Monday and the Delhi residence search continued until about 10:20 p.m.; the report is dated September 8.
- Why
- The ED cited allegations involving communal-content dissemination, unaccounted cash, suspicious funding and overstated newspaper circulation; TMC said the action was political pressure.
Trinamool Congress’s account
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
Purpose of the search
Trinamool Congress’s account
TMC said the search was part of a broader political strategy to pressure legislators who would not leave the party.
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED presented the action as part of a money-laundering investigation linked to allegations against the newspaper.
Financial transactions
Trinamool Congress’s account
TMC said Haque’s financial transactions were legitimate and his taxes had been properly paid.
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED cited alleged unaccounted cash transactions and funding from suspicious sources.
Newspaper operations
Trinamool Congress’s account
TMC questioned whether circulation-related allegations justified a search lasting nearly 12 hours and alleged procedural concerns during questioning.
Enforcement Directorate’s allegations
The ED alleged that Akhbar-E-Mashriq overstated its circulation to obtain government advertisements and received most of its funds through an advertising agency connected to a Dubai-based entity.
Key facts
- Agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Person investigated
- Nadimul Haque, a 56-year-old TMC Rajya Sabha MP
- Newspaper
- Akhbar-E-Mashriq, an Urdu daily published by Akhbar-E-Mashriq Private Limited
- Search locations
- Kolkata, Delhi and Ranchi
- Number of premises
- Seven premises were searched
- Legal basis
- A Prevention of Money Laundering Act case stemming from a Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate FIR
- TMC allegation
- The party called the action part of “Operation Lotus 2.0” and alleged pressure to cross over
Quotes
A senior TMC leader
A senior Trinamool Congress leader commenting on the ED search and alleged political pressure.
“Our MPs are strong. Those who have spine won’t bend as much as you try”
theprint.in
Sources
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