2 days ago
Supreme Court Seeks Full Roy Interrogation Records in Salboni Probe
The Supreme Court is reviewing a case about alleged illegal land transactions in Salboni, West Bengal.
Sumit Roy, an aide to politician Abhishek Banerjee, is seeking protection from arrest.
Roy’s lawyer says investigators asked mostly about his family and the Trinamool Congress instead of the specific land allegation.
The lawyer says the allegation directly involving Roy concerns one transaction worth Rs 10 lakh.
West Bengal’s government says the investigation may involve much more money.
It says Roy was asked about cash deposits and several larger transactions.
The court wants to watch or read the recordings and written records of his questioning.
Roy cannot be arrested in this case until the next hearing on September 7.
The court also heard claims about a transfer of about Rs 30 crore to Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd.
The Supreme Court directed West Bengal to submit all available records of Sumit Roy’s interrogation in the Salboni land-grabbing case.
Roy’s lawyer said investigators focused on his family and the Trinamool Congress rather than the alleged Rs 10 lakh transaction.
The state said Roy was questioned about cash deposits and transactions of Rs 60 lakh, Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh, with the total allegedly running into crores.
The court extended Roy’s protection from arrest until September 7 and sought transcripts, audio and video recordings of his questioning.
The state also alleged that about Rs 30 crore moved from the Trinamool Congress’s official account to Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd, while a judge criticized the pace of earlier investigations.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, Sumit Roy, the West Bengal government, Roy’s lawyers and state law officers.
- What
- The court sought complete records of Roy’s interrogation and extended his protection from arrest in the Salboni land-grabbing probe.
- Where
- The case is being heard by the Supreme Court and concerns alleged land transactions in Salboni, West Bengal.
- When
- The hearing took place on Monday; the next hearing is scheduled for September 7.
- Why
- The court wants to assess whether Roy was questioned about the alleged offence, whether he cooperated and whether the investigation involves a wider scam.
Sumit Roy’s defense
West Bengal government
Focus of questioning
Sumit Roy’s defense
Roy’s lawyer said investigators mainly questioned him about his family and the Trinamool Congress’s recruitment and funding, rather than the alleged land offence.
West Bengal government
The state disputed this account and said Roy was questioned about cash deposits and relevant financial transactions.
Scope of the allegations
Sumit Roy’s defense
The defense described the allegation directly involving Roy as a single Rs 10 lakh transaction.
West Bengal government
The state and the bench said the investigation appeared to concern a larger land scam and substantial amounts of money.
Cooperation and arrest
Sumit Roy’s defense
Roy’s lawyer said he answered all questions, did not invoke the right against self-incrimination and cooperated fully with investigators.
West Bengal government
The state had sought to question Roy in custody and opposed protection from arrest, citing concerns about the investigation.
Earlier investigation
Sumit Roy’s defense
Roy’s lawyer said the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate were conducting investigations involving Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd.
West Bengal government
The solicitor general said those agencies were conducting only collateral investigations and argued that their conduct should not prevent state police from examining relevant transactions.
Key facts
- Accused aide
- Sumit Roy is described as a personal assistant and close aide to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee.
- Alleged direct transaction
- Roy’s lawyer said the allegation against him concerned one transaction worth Rs 10 lakh.
- Interrogation
- Roy was questioned for 11 days, reportedly for eight to nine hours a day, and the questioning was allegedly videographed.
- Larger transactions
- The state referred to suspected transactions of Rs 60 lakh, Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh, with the total allegedly running into crores.
- Arrest protection
- The Supreme Court extended Roy’s protection from arrest until September 7.
- Alleged company transfer
- The state said approximately Rs 30 crore was transferred from the Trinamool Congress’s official bank account to Leaps and Bounds Pvt Ltd.
- Charges
- The case includes allegations relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy.
Quotes
Gopal Shankarnarayanan
Senior advocate representing Sumit Roy before the Supreme Court
“Instead of asking me about this offence, they have asked me entirely about my family. Then they have asked me about the political party, how it recruits people, where it gets its funding from”
telegraphindia.com
“This appears to be a tip of the iceberg. What the investigations found so far is only a fraction of the proceeds.”
telegraphindia.com
telegraphindia.com
Supreme Court bench
The bench hearing Sumit Roy’s anticipatory bail application, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
“The investigation involved allegations of a larger dimension involving substantial amounts.”
telegraphindia.com
“We would like to see the entire file.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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