TMC MP Nadimul Haque was in Ranchi in neighbouring Jharkhand when the operation began (File photo)

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) concluded searches at the premises of Trinamool Congress (TMC) Rajya Sabha MP Nadimul Haque early Tuesday morning, bringing an end to a marathon search operation that lasted more than 24 hours.According to officials, the central agency detected financial irregularities amounting to around Rs 60 crore in an Urdu newspaper linked to Haque.“Financial records and digital documents are being examined to establish the trail of the transactions and determine the nature and source of the funds under investigation,” an ED official told PTI on condition of anonymity.The probe agency is investigating alleged illegal financial transactions involving the newspaper and examining whether some funds were routed through hawala channels.During the searches, the ED examined bank records, financial documents and digital material, and questioned Haque at his residence and office in Kolkata.Investigators are also looking into the alleged movement of funds linked to the TMC.

According to ED sources, investigators found discrepancies in transactions worth around Rs 60 crore and could not immediately find satisfactory supporting records. The agency is examining whether the transactions were genuine business dealings or whether the funds were moved through informal channels, including hawala.Similar searches were conducted at seven other locations in Delhi and Ranchi, including the newspaper’s office in Kolkata’s Park Circus and premises linked to Haque.The TMC MP was in Ranchi in neighbouring Jharkhand when the operation began and was subsequently brought to Kolkata on Monday night, where he was questioned during searches at his residence and office.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.The ED has not made any arrests in the case so far.