Sumit Roy, aide to Abhishek Banerjee, files anticipatory bail plea in Calcutta HC
Synopsis
The absconding executive assistant of TMC's Abhishek Banerjee has moved the Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail after a West Midnapore district court issued an arrest warrant against him in a land-grabbing case. With raids already conducted at Banerjee's Kalighat Road home and a suspended TMC spokesman warning of high-level fallout, the case threatens to pull top party names into a widening corruption probe.
Key Takeaways
Sumit Roy , executive assistant to TMC's Abhishek Banerjee , filed an anticipatory bail plea in the Calcutta High Court on 15 June .
An arrest warrant against Roy was issued by a West Midnapore district court; he is wanted under an FIR at Salboni Police Station for alleged illegal land-grabbing.
A joint CAPF , Kolkata Police , and Salboni Police team raided Abhishek Banerjee's residence on Kalighat Road, South Kolkata after Roy's phone was tracked there.
The Calcutta High Court bench of Justice Jay Sengupta allowed the petition to be filed but has not yet admitted it for a fast-track hearing.
Suspended TMC spokesman Riju Dutta warned that Roy's arrest could lead to the exposure of several senior TMC leaders.
Former Medinipur MLA Sujoy Hazra was separately arrested in a land corruption case in the same district and remains in police custody.
Sumit Roy, executive assistant to All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee, has approached the Calcutta High Court seeking anticipatory bail, even as an arrest warrant against him remains active following its issuance by a district court in West Midnapore, West Bengal, on Monday, 15 June. Roy, who is currently absconding, is wanted by police in connection with an illegal land-grabbing case registered at Salboni Police Station in the same district.
The Anticipatory Bail Plea
Roy's counsel, Sabyasachi Bandopadhyay, appeared before the single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta on Monday with the anticipatory bail application. The bench permitted the petition to be filed, though it has not yet admitted it for a fast-track hearing. The date for the first substantive hearing remains undetermined.
The Land-Grabbing Case and Linked Arrests
Roy faces an FIR registered against him at Salboni Police Station relating to alleged illegal land-grabbing in West Midnapore district. Separately, police recently arrested Sujoy Hazra, a former legislator from the Medinipur Assembly constituency in the same district, in a land corruption case. Hazra remains in police custody. According to reports, it is not yet confirmed whether Roy's case is directly linked to the one involving Hazra.
Raids at Abhishek Banerjee's Residence
A joint team comprising personnel from Salboni Police Station, the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), and Kolkata Police conducted prolonged raid and search operations at the residence of Abhishek Banerjee on Kalighat Road in South Kolkata. According to reports, the operation was launched after Roy's mobile phone was tracked to the vicinity of that address. The raids reflect the urgency with which authorities are pursuing the absconding aide.
Dissent Within TMC and Political Fallout
The case has deepened fault lines within the Trinamool Congress. A significant faction inside the party, which had already held Abhishek Banerjee responsible for the party's landslide defeat in the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections, has now pointed to Roy as a central figure in multiple corruption cases linked to his boss. Suspended TMC spokesman Riju Dutta told reporters that Roy's arrest, if it materialises, could trigger the fall of several senior party leaders. Dutta also expressed concern that Roy's life could be at risk given the prevailing political climate.
What Happens Next
The Calcutta High Court is yet to schedule a hearing on Roy's anticipatory bail plea, leaving his legal status in limbo. Should the court reject or decline to hear the plea, Roy faces imminent arrest. The case is being closely watched for its potential to implicate higher-ranking TMC figures, with political observers noting that the outcome could reshape internal power dynamics within the party ahead of future electoral contests.
Point of View
And the fact that it was a joint CAPF-police operation signals that this is not a routine local police action. Suspended TMC leaders speaking openly about 'top heads rolling' suggests the party's disciplinary machinery is under severe strain. If the Calcutta High Court declines anticipatory bail, the political fallout could accelerate well beyond what a single aide's arrest would normally produce.
NationPress
1 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sumit Roy and why is he wanted by police?
Sumit Roy is the executive assistant to TMC general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. He is wanted by Salboni Police Station in West Midnapore district under an FIR related to an alleged illegal land-grabbing case, and a district court has issued an arrest warrant against him.
What has the Calcutta High Court decided on Roy's anticipatory bail plea?
The single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta allowed the petition to be filed on 15 June, but has not yet admitted it for a fast-track hearing. The date of the first substantive hearing has not been announced.
Why was Abhishek Banerjee's residence raided?
A joint team of Salboni Police, CAPF, and Kolkata Police conducted raids at Abhishek Banerjee's Kalighat Road residence in South Kolkata after Roy's mobile phone was reportedly tracked to that location. Roy was not found during the operation.
Is the case against Sumit Roy connected to the arrest of former MLA Sujoy Hazra?
Sujoy Hazra, a former MLA from Medinipur Assembly constituency, was separately arrested in a land corruption case in West Midnapore and remains in police custody. According to reports, it is not yet confirmed whether Roy's FIR is directly linked to the case against Hazra.
What are the political implications for Trinamool Congress?
A faction within TMC has blamed Abhishek Banerjee for the party's defeat in the West Bengal Assembly elections and has identified Roy as a key figure in related corruption cases. Suspended TMC spokesman Riju Dutta has warned that Roy's arrest could expose several senior party leaders, signalling significant internal political risk.
