Kolkata: After a dismal performance by Mamata Banerjee’s TMC at the Lok Sabha elections, the Chief Minister is now faced with another blow. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued notice to the former city police commissioner, Rajeev Kumar to appear before it for questioning in the multi-core Sharada Chit Fund scam.
A team of CBI sleuths reached Rajeev Kumar’s official residence in Kolkata to look out for Rajeev Kumar.
However, the CBI officials were told by the security guards that the former police commissioner do not live there since he is not the police commissioner.
A look out notice has been issued by the CBI to block any attempt by the tainted police officer to flee the country. The look-out notice that has been issued to every airport and land ports mention that Rajeev Kumar should not leave the country.
Rajeev Kumar who is seen as very close to the Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, enjoyed full support from her even though he was charged with serious allegations.
The police officer is accused of destroying evidence related to the Ponzi scheme when he was heading the Special Investigation Team probing the chit fund scam.
Kumar had approached the Supreme Court seeking an extension of protection from arrest, claiming that he was not able to access legal remedies in West Bengal since lawyers in the state were on strike. However, the apex court refused the plea.
The CBI officers had tried to question Rajeev Kumar earlier on 3 February this year. However, the officers were detained by Kolkata Police when they reached Rajeev Kumar’s residence.
With utter disregard to the rule of law, the Chief Minister visited the residence of Rajeev Kumar and supported the tainted officer. It was Mamata Banerjee’s stance against the rule of law that made it impossible for the officers to question Kumar.
Mamata Banerjee used the incident to claim that the Central government was trying to harass her government. Most opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi supported her authoritarian moves evoking condemnation from the common people in and outside West Bengal.
