Supreme Court Intervenes to Halt Arrest of Abhishek Banerjee's Personal Assistant
The Supreme Court provided temporary relief to Sumit Roy by staying his arrest in a high-profile land-grabbing investigation. This ruling follows a previous rejection of Roy's bail plea by the Calcutta High Court.
Key takeaways
- Chief Justice Surya Kant stayed the arrest of Sumit Roy in the Salboni land-grabbing investigation on August 6, 2026.
- Roy must attend police questioning daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. without the presence of legal counsel.
- The West Bengal government opposed the stay, citing the necessity of custodial interrogation for the ongoing fraud case.
- The ruling follows a Calcutta High Court decision on August 3 that had previously denied Roy's request for anticipatory bail.
Court Issues Stay on Custodial Detention
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, leading a Supreme Court Bench, issued an order on August 6, 2026, to shield Sumit Roy from immediate arrest. Roy, who serves as the personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, is a central figure in the Salboni land-grabbing inquiry. While the court granted this protection, it emphasized that Roy must remain available for questioning daily between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., ensuring the investigation proceeds without his detention.
Background
The legal battle moved to the apex court after the Calcutta High Court dismissed Roy’s anticipatory bail application on August 3, 2026. The Salboni police are currently probing allegations of government land fraud involving several serious charges. These include criminal breach of trust, forgery, cheating, the use of falsified records, and criminal conspiracy. The West Bengal government has actively challenged Roy’s immunity, arguing that custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the full scope of the alleged fraud. State representatives claimed that prior attempts to secure Roy for questioning were obstructed by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Key Facts
- Date of Stay: The Supreme Court issued the order on August 6, 2026.
- Investigation Protocol: Sumit Roy is prohibited from bringing an advocate or any other companion during his interrogation sessions.
- Legal Charges: The case involves penal provisions for forgery, criminal conspiracy, and cheating.
- Previous Ruling: The Calcutta High Court had denied Roy anticipatory bail just three days prior to the Supreme Court's intervention.
What Happens Next
Sumit Roy is mandated to comply with the investigation strictly according to the hours set by the bench. Although his arrest is stayed, the Salboni police will continue their inquiry under the specific conditions defined by the court. The outcome of the investigation will determine whether the stay remains in place or if the state will successfully argue for custodial access in future hearings.
Source: The Hindu — National
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