Abhishek Banerjee's PA Sumit Roy Arrested By CID After SC Rejects Bail Plea; What Is Salboni Land Scam Case?

Salboni Land Scam: The West Bengal CID on Thursday arrested TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's personal assistant (PA) Sumit Roy in a land scam case. The police action followed the Supreme Court order in which it refused Roy's anticipatory bail plea. Roy was first taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital for a medical examination after his arrest, and then to the state CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan.

What CM Adhikari Said

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari confirmed the arrest, which is likely to fuel BJP vs TMC political slugfest in the state. "Sumit Roy, a well-known extortionist, was arrested by the CID from the Trinamool Congress office at 121 Kalighat Road," Adhikari, who also holds the Home portfolio, said.

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According to officials, the CID team arrested Sumit Roy from Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence in Kolkata. The CID had previously summoned Roy several times for questioning in connection with the Salboni land scam.

What Is The Salboni Land Scam Case?

The case is linked to alleged illegal purchase and sale of government land in Salboni. According to the FIR filed against Roy, he allegedly induced buyers to purchase government land at discounted rates. However, the counsel for Roy told the Calcutta high court said that he had no connection with the land transactions. It was also submitted that Roy had been implicated because he had served as the personal assistant to the general secretary of TMC and the prosecution case rested only on oral statements, without any banking transactions or electronic communications linking him to the alleged offence. The state counsel had told the High Court that the investigation had unearthed forged title deeds relating to government land. The prosecution alleged that government land had been transferred with the complicity of local political and influential persons.

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Supreme Court Gives Setback To Roy

Earlier, on August 6, the Supreme Court stayed Roy's arrest and directed him to cooperate with the investigation. However, on Thursday, the top court rejected his anticipatory bail plea and lifted the stay on his arrest. Immediately following the court decision, the CID acted swiftly and took him into custody.

(With Jagran.com/PTI inputs)