TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Supreme Court of India on Thursday (August 6, 2026) stayed the arrest of Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, in connection with the Salboni land-grabbing case.
A Bench headed by the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, however, directed him to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.
On August 3, 2026, the Calcutta High Court rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Mr. Roy in connection with the alleged government land fraud case being investigated by the Salboni police.
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The case was registered under penal provisions relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy.
“The petitioner is to fully cooperate with the ongoing investigation. He should not be accompanied by any advocate or any other person. He shall remain available for any investigation from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with the usual breaks. However, his arrest will remain stayed,” the bench ordered on Thursday (August 6, 2026).
The West Bengal government strongly opposed the grant of relief to Mr. Roy, saying his custodial questioning was necessary for the investigation. The State said previous attempts to question him in custody had been thwarted by former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Published – August 06, 2026 01:02 pm IST
