Bengal CID charges ex-Trinamool MLA Sujoy Hazra in Salboni land-grab case
Synopsis
Bengal CID has charged former TMC legislator Sujoy Hazra and three others in the Salboni land-grab case — but the conspicuous absence of Sumit Roy, personal aide to Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, from the charge sheet is the real story. With a Supreme Court matter pending and a supplementary charge sheet signalled, this case is far from closed.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal CID filed a 14-page charge sheet before the Medinipur CJM Court in the Salboni multi-crore land-grab case.
Four accused named: former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra , Anitesh Pariya , Kailash Agarwal , and Sharafuddin Khan ; Agarwal and Khan are absconding.
The charge sheet cites nine sections covering forgery, misappropriation of government property, and falsification of official documents.
Sumit Roy , personal assistant to Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee , was omitted from the charge sheet despite featuring prominently in the investigation.
A supplementary charge sheet — potentially including Roy's name — is expected at a later stage, pending Supreme Court proceedings.
Sujoy Hazra is scheduled to appear before Midnapore Court on 17 September .
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police has filed a 14-page charge sheet before the Medinipur Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court in connection with the multi-crore illegal land-grab case in Salboni, naming four accused, including former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator Sujoy Hazra. The charge sheet was submitted in a district court in West Midnapore on 4 September.
Who Has Been Charged
The four accused named in the charge sheet are Sujoy Hazra, Anitesh Pariya, Kailash Agarwal, and Sharafuddin Khan. According to the CID, Agarwal and Khan are currently absconding. Hazra is scheduled to be produced before the Midnapore Court on 17 September.
Nine Sections, Multiple Charges
The charge sheet invokes nine sections of law, covering offences including forgery, misappropriation of government property, and fraud involving the falsification of official documents — including records from the state's land and land revenue department. The breadth of charges signals that investigators believe the scheme extended beyond a single transaction into systematic document manipulation.
The Sumit Roy Question
Notably absent from the charge sheet is Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, who also serves as TMC General Secretary. Roy's name had figured prominently during the investigation, and his omission has triggered political discussion across the state.
Earlier this year, personnel from Salboni Police Station, alongside Kolkata Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), conducted search operations at Abhishek Banerjee's residence while looking for Roy. According to state police sources, the matter is currently under consideration before the Supreme Court. The CID has sought the court's permission to continue its investigation against Roy, arguing that custodial interrogation is necessary — a request the Medinipur CJM Court has reportedly granted.
Supplementary Charge Sheet Expected
State police sources indicated that the agency is likely to file a supplementary charge sheet at a later stage, which may include Roy's name. This suggests the CID views the current filing as an interim step rather than the conclusion of its probe. The Salboni land-grab case has drawn sustained political attention in West Bengal, given the seniority of the figures whose names have surfaced during the investigation.
Point of View
Even temporarily, allows the agency to demonstrate action while the more sensitive thread remains in legal limbo before the Supreme Court. Whether the supplementary charge sheet materialises, and how quickly, will be the real indicator of investigative intent. In a state where land-grab cases have historically stalled at the charge-sheet stage, the nine-section sweep of charges is ambitious — but ambition on paper means little without convictions.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Salboni land-grab case?
The Salboni land-grab case is a multi-crore illegal land acquisition case in West Midnapore district, West Bengal, involving alleged forgery, misappropriation of government property, and falsification of official land and revenue documents. The CID filed a 14-page charge sheet in the case on 4 September.
Who has been named in the CID charge sheet?
The charge sheet names four accused: former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra, Anitesh Pariya, Kailash Agarwal, and Sharafuddin Khan. According to the CID, Agarwal and Khan are currently absconding.
Why is Sumit Roy's absence from the charge sheet significant?
Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, had figured prominently during the investigation. His omission from the charge sheet has triggered political discussion; however, state police sources say a supplementary charge sheet that may include his name is expected at a later stage.
What charges are included in the CID charge sheet?
The 14-page charge sheet cites nine sections of law, covering forgery, misappropriation of government property, and fraud through falsification of official documents, including records from West Bengal's land and land revenue department.
What happens next in the Salboni case?
Sujoy Hazra is scheduled to appear before Midnapore Court on 17 September. The CID has sought Supreme Court permission to continue its investigation against Sumit Roy, arguing custodial interrogation is necessary. A supplementary charge sheet is expected subsequently.
