Appearing for Roy, Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan today told the top court that his client was willing to cooperate with the investigation.
“The petitioner shall cooperate with the investigation,” said Sankaranarayanan.
The plea was opposed by the West Bengal government, whose arguments were led by Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta. Mehta contended that Roy’s custodial interrogation was necessary.
The Bench, however, questioned the State’s insistence on custodial interrogation despite the petitioner’s assurance that he would cooperate with the investigation.
“I hope you are not saying the police is the problem,” remarked CJI Kant.
Responding to the observation, SG Mehta said the investigating agency’s attempts to arrest Roy had been repeatedly obstructed.
“Whenever we went to arrest him, it was obstructed. The former Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) herself obstructed it,” he submitted.
The Court proceeded to stay Roy’s arrest, but directed him to cooperate with the probe.
