Saryu Roy alleges conspiracy to defame him through social media, targets Banna Gupta
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Jamshedpur, September 7: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy on Monday alleged a “planned conspiracy” to tarnish his political…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Jamshedpur, September 7: Jamshedpur West MLA Saryu Roy on Monday alleged a “planned conspiracy” to tarnish his political image by linking him to criminal incidents and circulating his old photographs on social media.
Speaking during a Facebook Live interaction, Roy claimed that a section of people was deliberately spreading “false and fabricated” allegations against him and attempting to create an impression that he was providing patronage to criminals in Jamshedpur.
He alleged that fake social media accounts were being used to circulate misleading information and claimed that the campaign was being orchestrated by a person named Nitesh Mittal from Mango, whom he alleged was close to former minister Banna Gupta.
Roy also targeted Gupta, alleging that he had emerged as a “protector and mastermind” of criminal activities. Roy said the mobile phone seized from Ashok Singh Raghav, who has been arrested in connection with the murder of Nikhar Sablok, could contain evidence relevant to the allegations.
‘Chor machaye shor’ over social media campaign
Referring to the social media posts carrying his photographs and asking whether he was providing protection to criminals in Jamshedpur, Roy described the campaign as baseless propaganda.
“Chor machaye shor” was how Roy characterised what he described as attempts to divert attention from the activities of those actually involved in criminal networks.
He said his name was being deliberately dragged into criminal cases by using photographs from the period when some of the accused or suspects were associated with him politically.
Roy says ties with Nikhar, Hareram ended 1.5 years ago
Roy said his association with Nikhar Sablok and Hareram Singh had ended around one-and-a-half years ago.
He said Sablok had worked with him during the 2024 Assembly elections but subsequently moved away and became associated with other people. Sablok was later murdered.
Roy said Hareram Singh had also left his association and joined the BJP around one-and-a-half years ago. He alleged that despite the two no longer being associated with him, their names and old photographs were being used to create a political narrative against him.
“I am not responsible in any way for their activities,” Roy said.
Claims he opposed any attempt to occupy government land
Roy also recalled an incident involving a large vacant plot in Kadma.
According to him, he had earlier requested the deputy commissioner to consider developing a government institution on the land to prevent encroachment. He said that during a visit to the area, Sablok later told him that he was interested in the plot and did not want a government institution to come up there.
Roy claimed he had made it clear to Sablok that he would not support any attempt to occupy the land or undertake any illegal activity.
He said Sablok subsequently distanced himself from him, while Hareram Singh also ended his association.
‘Loyalty of criminal gangs shifted after Nikhar’s murder’
Roy claimed that the murder of Sablok had led to a “shift in loyalties” among criminal groups operating in the city.
He alleged that Sablok used to frequently visit Banna Gupta’s office and that his activities had expanded into Mango after Sudha Gupta was elected mayor.
Roy maintained that attempts to associate such activities with him were misleading because his relationship with the people concerned had ended much earlier.
Demands probe into recordings from Ashok Raghav’s phone
Roy said he had read reports that Ashok Singh Raghav had been arrested as the alleged mastermind in the Sablok murder case and that police had seized his mobile phone.
According to Roy, some people associated with Raghav had approached him after August 15 expressing an interest in joining the JDU. He said he advised them to contact the party’s state or national leadership.
Roy claimed Raghav had told him that all his phone calls were recorded and had played him recordings of conversations involving several people.
Roy further alleged that Raghav had played him a recording of a conversation with Banna Gupta in which Gupta allegedly spoke about “destroying” Raghav. Roy demanded that police examine and make public all relevant recordings recovered from Raghav’s phone.
‘No attachment, only strategy’: Roy cites alleged conversation
Roy also made claims about an alleged conversation concerning criminal gangs.
According to Roy, Raghav had told him that he used to wear a heavy chain and that Gupta had once praised it. Raghav allegedly gave the chain to Gupta, who later called him and asked him to collect it.
Roy further claimed that Raghav had questioned Gupta over his alleged association with members of the Ganesh Singh gang despite earlier opposition to the group.
Roy alleged that Gupta had responded that his association was merely a strategy and that there was “no attachment” and that the people concerned were being “used”.
Roy said the authenticity of such recordings should be investigated by the police.
Raises issue of alleged abusive calls to BJP leader
Roy also referred to alleged abusive phone calls made to BJP leader Amit Sharma.
He said Sharma had received abusive calls through WhatsApp and internet-based phone services and had subsequently lodged a complaint.
Roy claimed that the caller again contacted Sharma a few days ago and, during the conversation, repeatedly mentioned Banna Gupta’s name.
According to Roy, the recording of the conversation had been submitted to Sakchi police station.
He alleged that the conversation indicated a coordinated attempt to target people who defended Roy on social media. Roy said the recording should be examined to establish the facts.
Claims recordings of alleged threats also exist
Roy further alleged that recordings existed of Gupta allegedly reprimanding Tata Steel employees and of threats being issued to people who wrote against him.
These allegations could not be independently verified from the material provided.
Roy said he would continue to oppose what he described as attempts to silence him through intimidation or pressure.
Roy to meet Chief Minister
Roy said he would soon meet the Chief Minister and raise the issue of people allegedly close to him in Jamshedpur.
He said political differences were a separate matter, but attempts to intimidate him or damage his reputation through social media would be opposed through democratic means.
The allegations made by Roy are political claims and require independent verification. No independent evidence establishing the alleged criminal links or the authenticity of the recordings was provided in the material available for this report.
