PM Modi Promises to Explore Legal Options to Return Seized Funds Amid Political Backlash

In order to "return" the money that the Enforcement Directorate had "retained" throughout its investigations into many frauds in Bengal, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised to look for a solution.

The Prime Minister said the money belonged to the "poor people" during a Tuesday phone conversation with Amrita Roy, the BJP's candidate for Krishnanagar. He added that he was seeking "legal advice" to ensure that the relevant "legal provisions are explored" once the new administration was constituted.

Roy has been matched against Mahua Moitra of the Trinamul Congress, who was kicked out of Parliament for allegedly receiving "cash for query". The spouse of Nadia King Krishnachandra Roy's descendent is Moitra's opponent (1710-1783).

Following Modi's statement, there has been a political backlash, with Trinamul questioning the PM's jurisdiction to distribute money that has been seized in connection with cases that are under investigation.

Roy was asked by Modi about her campaigning, and he urged her to take on the task of preserving "Bengali tradition and culture." The BJP released the audio recording of the exchange.

Speaking about corruption cases in Bengal, Modi said that he "desires" to release the Rs 3,000 crore that the ED had attached. "There are now two camps: one wants to eradicate corruption, and the other wants to save the corrupt individuals who have banded together to support one another," he said. They do not prioritize the country, but we are dedicated to ridding it of corruption.

The Prime Minister continued, "If I get legal advice then once the new government is formed, necessary legal provisions would be explored for this Rs 3,000 crore, or whatever the amount taken as the bribe, that belonged to the poor people will be returned." He acknowledged that his pledge to distribute such money involved legal concerns.

Roy should inform people about his intention to distribute the funds, Modi said.

"Tell them you spoke with Modiji and that they should have faith that the Rs 3,000 crore that the ED has attached will be given back to them." I'll do all in my power to find a solution for this," the prime minister informed Roy.

In Bengal, the ED has been looking into a number of well-known corruption cases. They dealt with recruiting "scams" involving school teachers, municipalities, and coal. Prominent Trinamul leaders and high government officials were purportedly implicated in these scams.

Investigations into the cases of Jyoti Priya Mallick and former minister Partha Chatterjee are ongoing while they are incarcerated. The ED has sequestered many thousand cores of rupees throughout the course of the investigations; the largest seizure, on July 27, 2022, of Rs 27.90 crore came from Chatterjee's acquaintance Arpita Mukherjee's apartment.

Returning the seized funds, which were purportedly given as a "bribe" to the defendants, would be challenging until the legal matters are resolved.

Roy, nevertheless, was upbeat about the PM's assurance and asserted that the money might be returned.

"What Modi claimed about giving the impoverished people their stolen money back is not a lie. However, it does need time and the drafting of legal regulations. Roy said, "Modiji can make it possible and he is against corruption."

"I joined the BJP only because of Modiji's fight against corruption and on my part, I shall put 100 per cent effort to materialise his endeavour," she told the newspaper.

Sukhendu Sekhar Roy, a prominent member of the Trinamul Congress, called Modi's pledge unlawful.

"The exemplary code of behavior is now in force. It is against EC standards and anti-constitutional to make such a guarantee before to the vote, he said.

Sukhendu declared: "In accordance with the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the ED has attached the money. All of the accused had cases filed against them, and the cases are pending. Nobody can make such a promise in such a scenario, Sukhendu said, branding Modi's remarks as a "interference with the administration of justice".

Trinamul enquired as to whether Modi would use comparable measures for the funds that the ED had attached in other states.

Kunal Ghosh, a spokesman for Trinamul, called Modi's proposal a "fake promise".

"If Narendra Modi is eager to pay the people of Bengal, he should arrange to pay the states deserving dues under 100 days' job scheme, housing scheme and other payments that his government has put on hold."

Similar to Ghosh, CPM MP Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya called Modi's pledge "jumla" once again.