Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata’s former top cop, has been replaced by IPS Anuj Sharma as Police Commissioner in the latest order issued by additional secretary of West Bengal police on Tuesday, 19 February.
Kumar had told the Supreme Court on Monday, that he was grilled for 40 hours in five days by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit-fund scam.
He also said CBI’s “major decision” to interrogate him on 3 February, the last day of then CBI director M Nageswar Rao, was “very intriguing”.
Kumar was released by the CBI in Shillong and was allowed to return to Kolkata, after three hours of questioning on Wednesday, 13 February.
This comes in the wake of the investigative agency’s dramatic altercation with Kolkata Police on Sunday, 3 February, that triggered a slugfest between the Centre and the West Bengal government.
Following the standoff, the Supreme Court on Tuesday, 5 February, directed Kumar to appear before the CBI at “a neutral place” in Shillong and “faithfully” cooperate in the investigation.
- Rajeev Kumar told SC, he was grilled for 40 hours in five days
- Rajeev Kumar was being questioned since Saturday about his alleged role in the Saradha scam
- Former Trinamool Congress MP Kunal Ghosh was also questioned by the CBI
- Mamata Banerjee sat on a three-day dharna, starting 3 February, to protest against the CBI’s move to question Kumar on the Saradha chit fund scam.
- She claimed ‘moral victory’ before calling off her protest on 5 February after Supreme Court said Kumar cannot be arrested
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WB Top Cop & Focus of Mamata vs CBI Row Rajeev Kumar Replaced
Rajeev Kumar, Kolkata’s former top cop, has been replaced by IPS Anuj Sharma as Police Commissioner in the latest order issued by additional secretary of West Bengal police on Tuesday, 19 February.
Kumar has now been posted as Additional Deputy General (ADG) and Inspector General of Police (IGP) in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal.
SC Judge Recuses Self From Hearing Contempt Petition
SC Judge, Justice L Nageswara Rao recused himself from hearing contempt petition filed by CBI against WB Chief Secy, DGP and former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar for alleged non-cooperation in connection with Saradha chit fund scam. The case is now listed on 26 February, reported ANI.
Contempt Proceedings Against Rajeev Kumar on 20 Feb
The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 20 February, will take up the matter seeking initiation of contempt proceedings against Rajeev Kumar for alleged non-cooperation in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam, ANI reported.
'Grilled for 40 Hours in Five Days', Rajeev Kumar Tells SC
Rajeev Kumar told the Supreme Court on Monday, 18 February, that he was grilled for 40 hours in five days by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit-fund scam.
He also said CBI’s “major decision” to interrogate him on 3 February, the last day of then CBI director M Nageswar Rao, was “very intriguing”.
“It seems very intriguing as to why a major decision could not even wait even for a single day for the new director CBI to join, especially when the last notice was issued to the answering respondent, after a gap of more than a year, as noted hereinabove”, Kumar said in his affidavit.
According to Kumar, he reached Shillong on 8 February and joined the investigation on 9 February at 11 am, The Times of India reported.