Sumit Roy, the personal assistant (PA) to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, was arrested from Banerjee’s Kalighat residence on Thursday, shortly after the Supreme Court cancelled the protection granted to him. The arrest is linked to the Shalbani land scam case.
CID and STF teams reached Abhishek Banerjee’s residence after receiving information that Roy was inside. A large team of officials, along with a videographer as part of the arrest procedure, arrived at the house. Roy was subsequently taken to Bhabani Bhavan for questioning.
Who is Sumit Roy?
Sumit Roy has been described by TMC insiders as one of Abhishek Banerjee’s closest aides. For years, party insiders have referred to him as Abhishek’s “shadow”, highlighting his presence around the TMC leader since his early political years.
According to several TMC insiders, Roy and Abhishek Banerjee have known each other since their school days. As Banerjee’s influence within the party grew, Roy continued to remain part of his inner circle and became an important figure in the organisation.
Why was Sumit Roy considered influential?
TMC leaders claim Roy’s role extended beyond organisational work and reached administrative circles. Although he did not hold an elected position, party members viewed him as an important link to Abhishek Banerjee.
#WATCH | Speaking in the Assembly, on the arrest of Sumit Roy, the personal assistant of TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari says, "I want to give information that Sumit Roy has been arrested by CID from Trinamool Congress's Kalighat Road office… pic.twitter.com/LgHnzmcXVK
— ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2026
According to multiple TMC insiders, party workers and local leaders seeking an audience with Banerjee often had to contact Roy first. Some leaders claimed that getting an appointment with Roy could itself be difficult. Sources also alleged that senior administrative officials and high-ranking officers sometimes had to wait for hours to meet him.
Seen as the ‘second-in-command’
Party insiders say Roy held considerable influence within parts of the organisation. Leaders familiar with the functioning of Abhishek Banerjee’s political office claimed that instructions from the TMC leader were often communicated through Roy.
Within sections of the party, he was informally described as the “second-in-command” to the “boss”. Leaders said that communication about meetings with Banerjee frequently passed through Roy.
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Role in Diamond Harbour affairs
TMC sources also said Roy was involved in organisational and constituency-related matters in Diamond Harbour, Abhishek Banerjee’s parliamentary constituency.
Local leaders claimed that political matters, administrative requests and constituency-related issues were often routed through him, placing Roy at an important point of contact for those seeking access to Banerjee’s decision-making channels.