A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Tuesday, 28 July rejected the plea for interim protection from coercive police action — including arrest — filed by Sumit Roy, the absconding personal assistant of All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. The plea arose from a case of alleged illegal land-grabbing in West Midnapore district.

What the Court Ruled

Justice Tirthankar Ghosh, presiding over the single-judge bench, declined to grant the interim protection, stating that since the investigation was still at an interim stage, it would not be appropriate for the court to shield the accused from police action. The ruling leaves Roy — who is currently absconding — exposed to potential arrest.

Defence Arguments

Roy's counsel, Sabyasachi Banerjee, argued that the police allegations against his client were without basis. He contended that the land in question is duly recorded in government records and that the private party owning it has been identified. He further argued that police claims — that former TMC legislator Sujoy Hazra travelled to Kolkata to deliver commission payments — could not be substantiated with evidence. 'The income details of my client had been mentioned in his income tax returns,' Roy's counsel stated.

State's Counter-Arguments

The state's Additional Advocate General, Rajdeep Majumdar, pushed back firmly. He told the court that statements from local residents in Salboni, including the original landowner, indicated they were coerced into vacating the land. Majumdar added that police had recovered incriminating documents from Sujoy Hazra, who has already been arrested in the case. 'Land was transferred in the names of fictitious persons. Documents were made in fake names like Bishnu Roy, Paltu Roy, and Kamala Roy. But there was no one with these names. The financial transactions were in cash,' he said, noting that a detailed investigation remains ongoing.

Background and Context

Sumit Roy stands accused of land fraud in Salboni, West Midnapore — a district that has seen repeated land-related disputes in recent years. The case has drawn attention given Roy's proximity to Abhishek Banerjee, a powerful figure within the TMC and the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This is not the first time associates of senior TMC leaders have faced legal proceedings linked to land and financial irregularities in the state. Hazra's arrest and the recovery of documents allegedly linking fictitious land transfers to cash transactions suggest investigators are building a chain of evidence that could implicate further individuals.

What Happens Next

With the protection plea dismissed, police are now free to pursue coercive action against Sumit Roy, including arrest. The investigation, according to the state, is ongoing and further developments are expected as authorities continue to examine financial records and witness statements from Salboni.