Bengal CID arrests Abhishek Banerjee aide after SC rejects anticipatory bail

The West Bengal CID on Thursday arrested TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee's personal assistant Sumit Roy, shortly after the Supreme Court rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a case concerning alleged illegal sale of government land in Salboni.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who also holds the Home portfolio, announced the arrest in the state Assembly.

CID officers picked up Roy from a building in Kolkata's Kalighat area said to be Banerjee's residence, sources said.

"Sumit Roy, a well-known extortionist, was arrested by the CID from the Trinamool Congress office at 121 Kalighat Road," Adhikari said.

Following his arrest, Roy was taken to the state-run SSKM Hospital for a medical examination and subsequently brought to the CID headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan, officials said.

Roy had been summoned to the CID headquarters several times in connection with the case. The Supreme Court had earlier stayed his arrest and directed him to cooperate with the investigation.

On Thursday, however, the apex court refused his plea for anticipatory bail and vacated its August 6 order staying his arrest.

The CID is investigating allegations relating to the illegal sale of government land in Salboni.

The latest action comes amid the ongoing probe into the case, with Roy having appeared before investigators on earlier occasions following the Supreme Court's directions.