Bengal police raid Abhishek Banerjee aide's in-laws' home as Sumit Roy stays missing
Synopsis
West Bengal Police broke open the door of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence at 3 am chasing a mobile signal — and still came up empty. His executive assistant Sumit Roy, wanted in a land corruption money trail, has now eluded multiple simultaneous raids across Kolkata, Hooghly, and Serampore.
Key Takeaways
Sumit Roy , executive assistant to TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee , remained untraceable after police searched multiple locations on 13 June .
Police broke the lock of Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence at around 3 am on Friday after Roy's phone signal was traced there.
Roy's in-laws' house in Serampore, Hooghly district was also raided; family members said he had not visited in two to three days .
Roy is sought in connection with a land corruption case in which former MLA Sujoy Hazra was already arrested and remains in custody.
SP Papiya Sultana confirmed a money trail — changing hands two to three times — led investigators to Roy's name.
West Bengal Police on Saturday, 13 June searched multiple locations linked to Sumit Roy, the absconding executive assistant of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee, including Roy's Kolkata residence, his home in Hooghly district, and his in-laws' house in Serampore — yet he remained untraceable.
The Kalighat Search
Police traced the last known tower location of Sumit Roy's mobile phone to Abhishek Banerjee's residence in Kalighat, south Kolkata. Acting on that signal, a team from Salboni police station arrived at the premises at around 3 am on Friday. When no response came from inside, the lock on the outer door was broken. Roy was not found on the premises. The police team eventually departed at around 8 am.
In-Laws' Home Raided in Serampore
Separately, officers proceeded to Roy's in-laws' house on Vivekananda Sarani in Serampore, Hooghly district, after local sources indicated he visited there regularly — including multiple times during the recent voting period. Roy's mother-in-law told police he had not been seen at the house in the last two to three days. The elderly woman, visibly distressed, alleged the family's privacy was being violated by the raids. She told reporters she did not know her son-in-law's whereabouts and urged police to 'search properly and find him.'
The Land Corruption Trail
According to police sources, Roy is being sought in connection with a land-related case. The investigation gained momentum after the arrest of Sujoy Hazra, a former MLA from Midnapore, in a land corruption case; Hazra remains in police custody. Papiya Sultana, Superintendent of Police of West Midnapore — the district under which Salboni police station falls — confirmed that during the inquiry into Hazra, investigators found traces of money that had changed hands two or three times. That money trail led them to Roy's name, she said.
Sumit Roy's Connection to Abhishek Banerjee
Roy served as the executive assistant to Abhishek Banerjee, a prominent figure in the TMC and nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. It is not yet confirmed whether Roy's name is directly cited in the same case as Hazra, or whether the connection is peripheral. Police said searches were continuing across multiple locations as of Saturday.
What Happens Next
Authorities have been tracking Roy for two to three days, according to Sultana. With his mobile signal last detected at a politically sensitive address and searches expanding across districts, the case is likely to draw further scrutiny. Whether Roy surfaces voluntarily or is apprehended will determine the next phase of the land corruption investigation.
Point of View
Not a lone operator. Mainstream coverage has focused on the raids; the more important story is whether the money trail leads further up the chain, and whether investigators have the institutional insulation to follow it there.
NationPress
30 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sumit Roy and why is he being sought by police?
Sumit Roy is the executive assistant of TMC general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee. Police are searching for him in connection with a land corruption case in which a money trail — reportedly changing hands multiple times — led investigators to his name.
What is the connection between Sumit Roy and Sujoy Hazra?
Former Midnapore MLA Sujoy Hazra was arrested in a land corruption case and remains in police custody. During that inquiry, investigators found traces of money that had changed hands two to three times, eventually pointing to Roy. It is not yet confirmed whether Roy is a named accused in the same case.
Why did police search Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat residence?
Police traced the last known tower location of Roy's mobile phone to Abhishek Banerjee's house in Kalighat, south Kolkata. A team from Salboni police station arrived at around 3 am on Friday, broke the outer lock after receiving no response, but did not find Roy inside.
What did Roy's in-laws say about the police search?
Roy's mother-in-law, whose house in Serampore was searched, said he had not visited in the last two to three days. She expressed anger over the raids, alleging the family's privacy was being violated, and told reporters she did not know his whereabouts.
What is the current status of the search for Sumit Roy?
As of Saturday, 13 June, Roy remained untraceable. West Midnapore SP Papiya Sultana confirmed that searches were continuing across multiple locations and that police had been tracking Roy for two to three days.
