The Calcutta High Court on Friday granted former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar a month’s protection from custodial interrogation by the CBI in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam investigation.
Rajeev Kumar had been transferred from West Bengal by the Election Commission before the final phase of election and was attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs. As the model code of conduct was lifted on Sunday, the Bengal government reinstated Kumar as the ADG-CID. Kumar approached the court after the CBI served him a notice and asked him to appear for questioning.
On Sunday, a team of CBI officers served notices at Kumar’s residence and in office asking him to appear before them the next day at 10 a.m. It was assumed that Kumar would approach the Barasat court that day seeking anticipatory bail. However, the ADG-CID did not appear for questioning and a letter was sent to the CBI authorities informing them that he was on leave.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had lifted the protection on Kumar against arrest and asked him to take appropriate legal action. The apex court also asked the CBI to continue with the investigation as per law.
