{
  "id": 4598295,
  "title": "SC says probe agencies tend to go slow on the powerful, but quick to act with commoners",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/sc-says-probe-agencies-tend-to-go-slow-on-the-powerful-but-quick-to",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T07:49:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/sc-says-probe-agencies-tend-to-go-slow-on-the-powerful-but-quick-to-act-with-commoners/article71410004.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Supreme Court stated on August 31, 2026, that investigative agencies often take their time when probing individuals in positions of authority, as opposed to swiftly acting against common people. This observation was made by a three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant during a hearing involving a petition filed by Sumit Roy, a personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. The case concerns the Salboni land-grabbing case.\n\nSenior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, representing Roy, mentioned that the investigation by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) had primarily focused on his family and the political party's activities. Sankaranarayanan suggested that the ED should eventually address the accusations against Roy. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, stated that Roy had deposited ₹2 crore in a bank, which the officer believed was only a fraction of the total amount involved. He urged for custodial interrogation, citing that a significant sum of ₹30 crore was transferred to Leaps and Bounds Private Limited, a company allegedly linked to Banerjee and under ED investigation for financial irregularities.\n\nJustice Joymalya Bagchi, on the bench, suggested that \"the lesser said would be better\" regarding the ED's investigation into Leaps and Bounds. She noted that judges from the Calcutta High Court had expressed frustration about the slow pace and lack of intensity in interrogating individuals involved in this case. According to her, when investigating ordinary people, investigators do not hesitate to issue necessary directions; however, when dealing with authorities, they are less proactive. In the present scenario, the Supreme Court ordered the ED to provide video and audio records of Roy's questioning to verify if he was asked about his involvement in the land-grab case. The Chief Justice addressed Mehta, asking, \"Did you ask him who gave him the money; where did he get it; who authorized him; how much was received… Where are those questions? Show us the records.\"\n\nThe next hearing is scheduled for September 7. On August 3, the High Court had rejected Roy's anticipatory bail plea in connection with the alleged government land fraud case, which was being investigated by the Salboni Police. The case was registered under penal provisions for cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy. The West Bengal government strongly opposed granting relief to Roy, asserting that his custodial questioning was required for the investigation. The state mentioned that prior attempts to question Roy in custody were prevented by the former Chief Minister.",
  "summary": "The observations were made while hearing a petition filed by Sumit Roy, the personal assistant to Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee, in connection with the Salboni land-grabbing case",
  "key_points": [
    "Supreme Court observes investigative agencies slow on powerful.",
    "ED focuses on family, party in Salboni land-grab case.",
    "ED ordered to provide video/audio records of Roy's questioning."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}