Sumit Roy Arrest follows the Supreme Court’s rejection of anticipatory bail in the Salboni government land case, clearing the way for Bengal CID custody and further investigation.
By Qalam Times News Network
Kolkata | September 10, 2026
Sumit Roy Arrest has taken centre stage in the ongoing Salboni government land case after the West Bengal CID took into custody Roy, a personal aide to Trinamool Congress national general secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee, shortly after the Supreme Court declined to grant him anticipatory bail on Thursday.
The Sumit Roy Arrest came after the Supreme Court lifted the protection that had previously prevented the state investigating agency from taking coercive action against him. CID officers picked up Roy from a location associated with Abhishek Banerjee in the Kalighat area of Kolkata in connection with allegations concerning the illegal transfer and sale of government land in Salboni, officials said.
The development followed a hearing before a Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The bench considered submissions from senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Roy, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the West Bengal government.
The court had earlier, on August 6, granted Roy temporary protection from arrest and directed him to cooperate with the investigation. That protection was subsequently withdrawn, allowing the CID to proceed with his arrest.
According to officials, Roy had appeared before the state investigating agency on several occasions during the course of the probe. The West Bengal government has maintained that his custodial interrogation is necessary to establish the wider financial and documentary trail connected with the alleged land transactions.
What is the Salboni land case?
The case centres on allegations that government-owned land in the Salboni area of West Bengal was unlawfully transferred and represented as private property before being sold. Investigators have alleged that forged documents and fabricated records were used in the process.
The case was registered at Salboni Police Station under provisions relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents and criminal conspiracy. The investigation has also examined the alleged role of several individuals and the movement of money connected with the transactions.
During earlier proceedings, the state told the courts that investigators had recovered evidence indicating the use of forged stamps and seals in documents connected with government land. The prosecution has further alleged that influential local figures were involved in facilitating the disputed transfers.
The allegations against Roy emerged during the investigation. A Calcutta High Court order from June recorded the state’s claim that his name surfaced during the investigation and that statements of witnesses and other materials were being examined to establish his alleged connection with the transactions. Roy’s side, however, has disputed the allegations and argued that he was being implicated for political reasons.
The Calcutta High Court had rejected Roy’s anticipatory bail plea in the Salboni case on August 3. The Supreme Court subsequently intervened on August 6, staying his arrest while directing him to cooperate with the investigation.
In the latest proceedings, the West Bengal government argued that custodial interrogation was required. The state has also placed before the Supreme Court material relating to Roy’s interrogation and alleged financial transactions, including claims concerning substantial cash deposits.
Following Thursday’s decision, CID officials took Roy first for a medical examination and then to the state CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan for further proceedings, according to officials.
The investigation is expected to focus on the alleged transfer of government land, the authenticity of title and sale documents, the identities of persons involved in the transactions and the flow of money allegedly generated through the disputed sales.
Roy’s arrest marks a new phase in the investigation, but the allegations remain matters for investigation and judicial determination. No finding of guilt has been established against Roy merely by virtue of the arrest.
