Kolkata, Aug. 31 -- The Supreme Court on Monday sought the interrogation records of Sumit Roy, personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, after he alleged that investigators questioned him extensively about matters unrelated to the alleged land-grabbing offence.
The court directed the state government to produce transcripts and audio-video recordings of Roy's questioning. It also extended his protection from arrest till the next hearing on September 7.
Roy is challenging the Calcutta High Court's refusal to grant him anticipatory bail in the Salboni land case. His counsel, senior advocate Gopal Shankarnarayanan, said Roy had been questioned for 11 days and had fully cooperated with investigators. He clarified that Roy had not exercised his right against self-incrimination.
The defence alleged that investigators focused on Roy's family and the functioning, recruitment and funding of the Trinamool Congress rather than the transaction allegedly linking him to the offence.
The state disputed this, citing questions about cash deposits in Roy's account and transactions of Rs 60 lakh, Rs 20 lakh and Rs 40 lakh. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said these could represent only a fraction of suspected proceeds in a larger land scam.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.