Daijiworld Media Network – Kolkata

Kolkata, Sep 10: Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Trinamool Congress national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, has been arrested in connection with the Salboni land case, according to the latest update.

Roy was arrested by a joint team of the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Special Task Force (STF) from Banerjee’s residence in Kalighat. The arrest comes days after the Supreme Court heard Roy’s anticipatory bail plea in the case.

The case concerns allegations that government land in Salboni was shown as private property using forged documents and subsequently sold. The West Bengal government has also alleged that money generated through the transactions was routed through financial channels linked to the case.

During proceedings before the Supreme Court, the state government argued that Roy’s custodial interrogation was necessary for the investigation. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that investigators had traced financial transactions involving Roy’s bank account and alleged that he had been evasive during questioning.

The state cited transactions of around Rs 15 crore, including an alleged cash deposit of Rs 71 lakh.

Roy had approached the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea on August 3. His legal team denied the allegations and maintained that he had cooperated with the investigation. The defence also argued that his questioning had been recorded and that there was no justification for custodial interrogation.

Roy had earlier been the subject of a police search at Banerjee’s residence in connection with the case. Investigators have been examining his alleged links to the Salboni land transactions and financial dealings under scrutiny.

Following his arrest, Roy is expected to be questioned in custody as part of the ongoing investigation. The allegations against him remain subject to the legal proceedings.