Supreme Court Extends Protection for Abhishek Aide Sumit Ray
India's Supreme Court on Friday extended the interim relief shielding Sumit Ray, the personal aide of Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee, from arrest in a land‑graft investigation. The case stems from the recent detention of former legislator Sujoy Hazra, who is accused of large‑scale irregularities in the allocation of government land in the Salboni area. Since Hazra's arrest, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been actively searching for Ray, suspecting his involvement in facilitating the alleged scam. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant ruled that Ray's protective order will remain in force until the next hearing scheduled for Wednesday, giving the probe agency more time to gather evidence while preserving the accused's legal rights. The decision underscores the judiciary's cautious approach in high‑profile political corruption matters, balancing investigative momentum with due process. Observers note that the extension may influence the CID's strategy and could affect the broader political narrative in West Bengal ahead of upcoming elections.
Key Highlights
- Supreme Court prolongs interim protection for Sumit Ray until next Wednesday
- Case linked to arrest of former TMC MLA Sujoy Hazra in Salboni land scam
- CID continues probe while Ray remains shielded from arrest
- Decision highlights judicial balance in politically sensitive corruption cases
Source: Ei Samay
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