3 weeks ago
Abhishek Banerjee's former aide faces second day of CID questioning
A man named Sumit Roy used to help a famous politician named Abhishek Banerjee.
Police detectives, called the CID, think Roy may have been part of a plan to sell government land that was not theirs to sell.
The Supreme Court, the highest court in India, said the police cannot arrest Roy for now.
But it told him he must come to the police every day between 10 in the morning and 6 in the evening to answer questions.
He is not allowed to bring a lawyer with him when he talks to the police.
Roy had been missing since June, and police could not find him even after searching the politician's house with special cutting tools.
The police began suspecting Roy after questioning a former lawmaker named Sujoy Hazra, who had already been arrested.
They found that about one crore rupees had moved between Hazra's and Roy's bank accounts.
Roy showed up on Saturday and talked with the detectives for about ten hours, and he came back on Sunday for more questions.
Roy says all the accusations against him are false.
Sumit Roy, former personal assistant to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, faced the CID for a second consecutive day of questioning in the alleged Salboni land fraud case.
The Supreme Court stayed Roy's arrest on August 6, granting interim protection until August 14 and directing him to be available for questioning between 10am and 6pm without a lawyer.
Sunday's session lasted around six hours, with another report saying about eight-and-a-half hours, following nearly 10 hours of questioning on Saturday.
Roy had been untraced since mid-June; police searched Banerjee's Kalighat residence on June 13 with gas cutters but did not find him, and a lookout notice was later issued.
Investigators allege about ₹1 crore moved between Roy and former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra, arrested in June over the alleged sale of government land using fabricated deeds; Roy denies all allegations as baseless.
- Who
- Sumit Roy, former personal assistant and close aide to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, questioned by the CID; the probe also involves former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra.
- What
- CID interrogation over an alleged government land fraud in Salboni and a related forgery/cash-for-jobs case in Debra, with the Supreme Court staying Roy's arrest.
- Where
- CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan, Kolkata; the alleged offences are in Salboni and Debra in Paschim Medinipur (West Midnapore) district, West Bengal.
- When
- Second day of questioning on Sunday, August 9, after nearly 10 hours of interrogation on Saturday; the Supreme Court stayed Roy's arrest on August 6; Roy had been untraced since mid-June.
- Why
- Roy is allegedly linked to the sale of government land using fabricated deeds, with bank records suggesting transactions of around ₹1 crore with Hazra.
Prosecution / CID
Sumit Roy / Defence
Financial transactions with Hazra
Prosecution / CID
Investigators say a detailed examination of bank transactions showed around ₹1 crore moved between Hazra and Roy, and that Roy was one of the beneficiaries of the alleged land scam.
Sumit Roy / Defence
Roy calls the allegations of crores of rupees in financial transactions with Hazra 'baseless' and refuses further comment.
Whereabouts while untraced
Prosecution / CID
Roy had been untraceable since mid-June, prompting a search of Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence with gas cutters and central forces, followed by a police lookout notice.
Sumit Roy / Defence
Roy said 'I was around' and that he is doing everything according to the Supreme Court's directions, appearing whenever summoned.
Involvement in Debra job scam case
Prosecution / CID
Roy is named in a Debra police case alleging financial transactions and promises of government jobs; the CID says every allegation will be verified based on evidence.
Sumit Roy / Defence
Roy denies all allegations, was granted anticipatory bail by the high court in the related cash-for-jobs case, and says he will come again if summoned.
Key facts
- Person questioned
- Sumit Roy
- Former role
- Personal assistant to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee
- Investigating agency
- CID at Bhabani Bhawan, Kolkata
- Alleged offences
- Land fraud in Salboni; forgery and cash-for-jobs case in Debra, Paschim Medinipur
- Supreme Court action
- Stayed arrest on Aug 6; interim protection till Aug 14; questioning 10am-6pm; no lawyer allowed
- Questioning hours
- Around 10 hours on Saturday; around 6 hours on Sunday (one report says 8.5 hours)
- Alleged transaction
- Around ₹1 crore between Hazra and Roy
- June 13 search
- Banerjee's Kalighat residence searched with gas cutters; Roy not found
Quotes
Sumit Roy
Aide and childhood friend of Abhishek Banerjee under CID questioning
“All the allegations are baseless. I will not say anything more. If I am summoned again for questioning, I will come.”
telegraphindia.com
“I am cooperating with the police. I have nothing more to say.”
telegraphindia.com
Senior CID official
Authority overseeing the investigation into Sumit Roy
“We are looking into the contents of the complaint and collecting all relevant documents. Every allegation will be verified based on evidence, and appropriate legal action will follow.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
CID questions Abhishek Banerjee's aide for second consecutive day in 'land scam' case
Abhishek’s aide appears before CID for 2nd consecutive day for questioning in land fraud case
CID questions Abhishek Banerjee's former personal assistant Sumit Roy again in Salboni land grab case







