ED flags ₹60 crore irregularities at TMC MP-linked Urdu daily after marathon searches

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detected alleged financial irregularities of approximately ₹60 crore at an Urdu newspaper linked to Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque, following searches that stretched beyond 24 hours.

The operation, which began on the morning of September 7, concluded early Tuesday. Investigators examined bank records, financial documents and digital material at multiple premises, including the newspaper's office in Kolkata's Park Circus area and locations linked to Mr. Haque. Similar searches were carried out at seven other sites in Delhi and Ranchi.

Mr. Haque, who was in Ranchi when the operation began, was brought to Kolkata on Monday night and questioned at his residence and office. Officials said discrepancies were found in transactions worth around ₹60 crore for which satisfactory supporting records were not immediately available.

The agency is now probing whether these transactions were genuine business dealings or whether funds were routed through informal channels, including hawala. Financial records and digital documents are being examined to establish the trail of the transactions and determine the nature and source of the funds.

The investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate and a subsequent Enforcement Case Information Report filed by the ED. The case involves allegations of illegal and unaccounted financial transactions and receipt of funds from suspicious sources. No arrests have been made so far in connection with the case.