Abhishek Banerjee’s aide Sumit Roy questioned for six hours by CID in alleged land scam

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee’s aide Sumit Roy was questioned by the West Bengal CID for around six hours on Sunday in connection with an alleged land scam, marking his second consecutive day of questioning by the state investigating agency. Roy, a childhood friend and aide of Banerjee, had been questioned for nearly 10 hours on Saturday after appearing at the CID headquarters at Bhawani Bhavan in Kolkata in accordance with directions issued by the Supreme Court.

‘All allegations are baseless’

Roy emerged from the CID headquarters at around 6 pm on Sunday, where reporters questioned him about his whereabouts during the weeks he had remained untraced. “Following the Supreme Court’s directions, I am doing everything accordingly. I was around. I will not comment any further,” Roy said. Asked about allegations involving financial transactions worth crores of rupees with former Trinamool Congress MLA Sujoy Hazra, Roy rejected the claims. “All the allegations are baseless. I will not say anything more. If I am summoned again for questioning, I will come,” he said.

CID probing alleged land dealings

Roy has been named in several allegations concerning purported illegal financial transactions and irregularities in land dealings in Paschim Medinipur district. The CID took over investigations into cases involving Roy earlier this month. He has also been named in a case registered at Debra police station involving allegations of forgery. A senior CID official had earlier said investigators were examining the complaint and gathering relevant documents before determining further action. “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,” the official said.

Roy had remained unavailable

Investigators had summoned Roy several times, but he remained unavailable for weeks as the cases against him progressed. He subsequently approached the courts and secured protection from arrest, subject to conditions requiring him to cooperate with the investigation. The Supreme Court granted him interim protection while directing him to make himself available to investigators and assist with the probe. Following the court’s direction, Roy appeared before the CID for the first time on Saturday and underwent nearly 10 hours of questioning. After leaving Bhawani Bhawan on Saturday, he went to Abhishek Banerjee’s residence but did not speak to reporters.

Sources said the questioning during the two days primarily centred on the alleged land scam in Salboni, with investigators seeking details about transactions and the allegations made against Roy. The probe has also examined Roy’s alleged links with former Medinipur MLA Sujoy Hazra. Roy had earlier been the subject of an arrest warrant in connection with the Salboni land case and a police lookout notice. The state police had also searched Banerjee’s Kolkata residence while looking for Roy after his name emerged during the investigation into allegations involving Hazra.

Roy expected before investigators again

Roy is expected to appear before investigators again on Monday in connection with the separate case registered at Debra police station. That case involves allegations concerning financial transactions and promises of government jobs. Hazra has also been named in the case and accused of collecting money from candidates on the promise of securing government employment. The CID has maintained that investigators will question those named in the complaint and examine evidence to establish their respective roles, if any, in the alleged offences. Roy, meanwhile, has denied all allegations against him and said he would continue cooperating with investigators if summoned again.