A pre-dawn police operation at Trinamool Congress National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee’s Kalighat residence on Saturday has brought renewed attention to a relatively low-profile but influential figure within the party — Sumit Roy, Banerjee’s long-time aide and personal secretary.
Police teams from Salboni Police Station in Paschim Medinipur, assisted by Kolkata Police and central security personnel, conducted a search at the residence for several hours in an attempt to locate Roy. However, he was not found during the operation, and officers reportedly left without making any seizure.
Who is Sumit Roy?
Sumit Roy is widely known within Trinamool Congress circles as one of Abhishek Banerjee’s closest associates and a key member of his political and organisational team. For years, Roy has functioned as Banerjee’s personal secretary and has been involved in coordinating political, administrative and constituency-related activities. Though rarely seen in the public spotlight, he is considered part of Banerjee’s inner circle.
Why Are Police Looking for Him?
Roy is being investigated in connection with an alleged land fraud case registered in the Kharagpur area of Paschim Medinipur district. Investigators claim that large sums of money were transferred to Roy's bank account from accounts linked to former Trinamool MLA Sujoy Hazra, who has already been arrested and questioned in the case.
Officials are probing the financial transactions and attempting to establish whether the money transfers were linked to the alleged fraud. The investigation reportedly expanded after police examined banking records and financial trails connected to the accused persons.
Why Did Police Reach Abhishek Banerjee’s House?
Investigators said they tracked Roy’s mobile phone location and believed he might be staying at Banerjee’s Kalighat residence. Acting on that information, police teams reached the premises shortly after 2.30 a.m. and waited for several hours before entering the property. According to police, officers repeatedly attempted to gain access before eventually entering the residence and carrying out a search. Trinamool Congress leaders alleged that the lock was broken to facilitate entry, while police maintained that the operation was part of an ongoing criminal investigation.
No Trace of Roy During Search
Despite searching the premises for several hours, investigators were unable to locate Roy. No documents, electronic devices or other materials were reportedly seized from the residence. Police sources indicated that the search was conducted solely to trace Roy and gather evidence related to the financial probe.
Political Storm Follows Raid
The search has triggered a fresh political confrontation in West Bengal. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the residence while the operation was underway, and Trinamool leaders accused authorities of targeting opposition figures through successive investigations. BJP leaders, however, defended the action, arguing that investigators were merely following the evidence in an ongoing probe.
