TMC paid over 2X average rate for Carewell jet: ED

Probe stems from FIR by Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police and an ECIR under the PMLA

New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) paid substantially more per flying hour for an aircraft operated by Carewell Aviation India Pvt Ltd than the average rate charged by the company to its other clients, according to details emerging from the Enforcement Directorate's investigation into the party's bank accounts and its dealings with the aviation firm.

Agency sources said an analysis of the aircraft's flying records and receipts showed that TMC paid an average of ₹16.56 lakh per flying hour for the Embraer Legacy 600, compared with an average of ₹7.68 lakh per hour received by Carewell from other clients during the period examined.


The data gathered indicates that the rate paid by TMC was approximately 2.15 times the average rate received by Carewell from other customers, people in the know told ET.

According to ED's analysis, the disparity became particularly pronounced in 2026. "TMC paid an average of ₹28.04 lakh per flying hour for the aircraft, identified as VT-KOL, while Carewell's average receipts from other clients stood at approximately ₹8.90 lakh per hour during the same year - a difference of more than three times," an official told ET.

The federal agency has examined the aircraft's operations over four years. In 2023, TMC used the aircraft for about 12 hours and paid ₹2.12 crore, translating into an average receipt of about ₹17.53 lakh per flying hour.

In 2024, its utilisation was about 82 hours, with payments of ₹12.74 crore, or approximately ₹15.50 lakh per hour. In 2025, TMC used the aircraft for about 96 hours and paid another ₹12.74 crore, translating into approximately ₹13.27 lakh per hour.

In 2026, ED's data shows that TMC used the aircraft for around 34 hours but paid ₹9.56 crore, taking the effective rate to approximately ₹28.04 lakh per flying hour. Taken together, TMC's usage during the period totalled approximately 224 hours and 27 minutes, for which Carewell received about ₹37.17 crore. The corresponding average works out to approximately ₹16.56 lakh per flying hour, said another official.

In comparison, the aircraft was flown for other clients for approximately 1,458 hours and 19 minutes, generating receipts of about ₹112 crore, or an average of approximately ₹7.68 lakh per flying hour, according to the agency's analysis.

Agency sources said the comparison forms part of the ED's examination of the commercial terms of the charter arrangement and whether the payments made by TMC were commensurate with the actual utilisation of the aircraft and prevailing rates.

The investigation has also examined TMC's broader aviation expenditure and its simultaneous use of aircraft and helicopter services from other operators despite its long-term arrangements with Carewell.

The ED's investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station and the subsequent recording of an ECIR under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The agency has been examining the flow and utilisation of funds transferred by TMC to Carewell and related entities, as well as the acquisition and operation of the aircraft and a helicopter.

TMC has repeatedly denied the allegations, dubbing them politically motivated.