Abhishek Banerjee’s Aide Sumit Roy Questioned by CID for Second Day in Land Fraud Probe
Sumit Roy, the personal assistant to Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Abhishek Banerjee, appeared before the West Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on August 9, 2026, marking his second consecutive day of questioning in connection with an alleged government land fraud case in Paschim Medinipur district.
What Happened
According to officials, Sumit Roy arrived at the CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhaban in Kolkata at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 9, 2026. This followed a nearly 10-hour questioning session on Saturday, August 8, 2026.
Roy had remained untraced for several weeks before appearing for interrogation under the directions of the Supreme Court. The CID had been seeking his questioning following the arrest of former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra in connection with the Salboni land fraud case, which involves alleged government land grabbing under investigation by the Salboni Police.
Earlier, police conducted a search at the residence of Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee in June while searching for Roy, but he was not located at the premises. Roy approached the Supreme Court after the Calcutta High Court rejected his plea for relief from arrest. In a separate case concerning an alleged cash-for-jobs scam, Roy had previously received anticipatory bail from the High Court.
Key Highlights
- Consecutive Interrogations: Sumit Roy was questioned for approximately 10 hours on August 8 and returned to Bhabani Bhaban at 10:00 a.m. on August 9 for further questioning.
- Supreme Court Order: On August 6, the Supreme Court stayed Roy’s arrest and granted him interim protection until August 14, contingent upon his full cooperation with the investigation.
- Interrogation Guidelines: The apex court directed Roy to be available for questioning between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. whenever required, without the presence of a lawyer or any accompanying person.
- Case Background: The investigation relates to an alleged government land grabbing case in Salboni, Paschim Medinipur, linked to the prior arrest of former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra.
Why This Matters
The questioning marks a key phase in the Salboni land fraud investigation, where law enforcement agencies are examining the involvement of political figures and their associates under court-ordered parameters. The Supreme Court’s conditions set specific requirements for how law enforcement can conduct questioning while offering interim protection against custodial arrest within a defined timeframe.
What to Watch Next
Under the Supreme Court’s directive, Roy’s interim protection from arrest remains in effect until August 14, 2026, provided he continues to comply with the investigation and attends questioning sessions between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. as instructed by the CID.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the CID questioning Sumit Roy?
The CID is questioning Roy regarding an alleged government land grabbing and fraud case in Salboni, located in the Paschim Medinipur district.
What protection did the Supreme Court grant Sumit Roy?
The Supreme Court granted Roy interim protection from arrest until August 14, 2026, on the condition that he cooperates with the investigation and appears for questioning between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. when required.
Can a lawyer accompany Sumit Roy during CID questioning?
No, the Supreme Court explicitly ordered that no lawyer or any other individual may accompany Roy during his interrogation sessions.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.