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A massive face-off ensured between a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Kolkata Police officers after the former went to question city police commissioner Rajeev Kumar.
Some CBI officers are said to have been detained by the police. Kumar had apparently been summoned by the CBI for questioning in the multiple-crore Ponzi scam. He was the head of a special investigation team formed by the West Bengal government to probe the Rose Valley ponzi scam and Saradha chit fund scam, before the investigation was handed over to the CBI.
The face-off saw Kolkata police officers detain the special team of the CBI. The Kolkata Police is an autonomous force reporting directly to the State Home Secretary.
The CBI team landed up at Rajeev Kumar’s 2 London Street residence on Sunday evening and was stopped by guards posted there.
With senior officials and other Kolkata Police officials reaching the spot to negotiate with the CBI, a scuffle allegedly broke out. This led to the city police officials detaining the CBI team. The stand-off continued late into the night.
Meanwhile, in a counter move, the West Bengal police have cordoned off the CBI office in the State.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had extended her support to the Kolkata Police Commisisoner and called him “one of best (officers) in the world”.
‘A constitutional coup’
The CM, who is also the Home Minister of the State, has camped herself at the police commissioner’s residence and is chairing a high-level meeting there. Standing by her police force, the Trinamool Congress supremo said she would sit on an “indefinite dharna” against the Centre.
According to PTI, Banerjee also alleged that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval was directing the CBI to harass political opponents, as per orders of the prime minister. “I feel ashamed to talk to such a prime minister, who has blood on his hands,” she said.
Calling the situation an attempt at a “Constitutional coup” and an “attack on federalism”, Banerjee targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President, Amit Shah for pressurising the investigating agency.
“This is an attempt at a Constitutional coup; an attack on federalism. I will sit at a dharna till the matter is resolved. The attack on the forces is an attack on federalism,” she said.
“Narendra Modi is not fit to be a PM. And, he is assaulting institutions out of political vendetta,” Banerjee said.
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