West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, 5 February, called off her dharna in Kolkata, saying it was a victory for the Constitution and democracy.
Earlier on Tuesday, a three-judge Supreme Court bench, hearing the CBI’s plea against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, directed him to appear before the agency in Shillong. He reached Shillong on Friday and will be questioned by the CBI on Saturday, 9 February, reported PTI.
The apex court also said no coercive steps, including the arrest of the Kolkata Police chief, will take place during the course of investigation.
- The next date of hearing has been fixed on 20 February
- CJI Ranjan Gogoi on Tuesday said that the contempt petition will be dealt with later
- West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said that she was “absolutely happy” with the SC verdict
- The West Bengal government had moved Calcutta HC against the CBI
- The high court will hear the matter on Thursday
- Andhra Pradesh CM and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu was in Kolkata on Tuesday to express solidarity with Mamata Banerjee
Rajeev Kumar to be Questioned by CBI in Shillong
Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar reached Shillong, Meghalaya's capital city, on Friday, 8 February to face questioning by the CBI for his alleged role in destroying evidence in the Saradha chit fund scam, an official said.
Kumar will be interrogated by CBI sleuths on Saturday, 9 February at two locations -- in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) office here and at an undisclosed location, he said, reported PTI.
He is accompanied by three IPS officers of the Kolkata Police.
Mamata Banerjee Calls off Dharna, Says Will Take Up Fight in Delhi Next Week
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday, 5 February, called off her dharna in Kolkata, saying it was a victory for the Constitution and democracy.
“The (Supreme) Court gave a positive judgment today. Next week, we will take up the issue in Delhi,” she said.
Sharing the stage with Chandrababu Naidu, Banerjee expressed her gratitude towards the Andhra Pradesh CM, adding that she consulted various political parties on the dharna.
“So many associations have given us full support. This dharna is not a political dharna. This is a dharna to save India, democracy, institutions, constitution and federalism.”Mamata Banerjee
Responding to the Home Ministry notice asking the Bengal government to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Kolkata Police chief Rajeev Kumar, Mamata said:
“Have you seen any symbols on my dias? He never joined the dharna. This is a blatant lie… I’m the CM. I’m sitting here. Can’t he even talk to me? This is political vendetta.”Mamata Banerjee
She asserted that police personnel are always with leaders to give them protection as per the law.
'There's No Democracy in Bengal': Congress MP
West Bengal Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday said there was no democracy in the state, adding that it was with the help of the ruling (TMC) government that people were looted off in the chit fund scam.
“This police commissioner is Mamata’s servant, he will do whatever she says,” she asserted.