Former Kolkata CP Rajeev Kumar’s interim protection from custodial interrogation extended till July 22 by Calcutta High Court

Calcutta High Court on Tuesday extended the interim protection from custodial interrogation to former Kolkata CP Rajeev Kumar in connection with the Saradha chit fund scam investigation till July 22.

The protection had been extended by the court to Kumar, who is additional director general of the state’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID), till July 10 earlier. In May, the court had asked him to surrender his passport and not leave his official residence.

Appearing for Kumar, advocate Milan Mukherjee prayed for modification to the earlier order that did not allow the IPS officer to leave Kolkata. The advocate prayed that as head of the investigating agency, he required to travel outside the city. The court said that the matter will be heard on July 15.

Rajeev Kumar has appeared for questioning in the Salt Lake office of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the investigation. He was investigating the Saradha chit fund scam which was later taken over by the CBI. The central investigating agency has alleged that he had tampered with documents and proof in connection with the probe.

Prior to the last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Kolkata, Kumar was transferred from the post of the ADG-CID by the Election Commission and attached to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The following day, the Supreme Court lifted the interim protection on him from custodial interrogation. However, though Kumar was asked by the apex court to take appropriate legal steps for his protection, it turned out to be difficult as lawyers in the state were on strike.

Finally, after a week, the Calcutta High Court granted him a month’s protection from custodial interrogation. He was however, asked to not leave his official residence and his attendance is being recorded every day by CBI officials.

Earlier too, Kumar had gone to the CBI office in Shillong where he was questioned for five days, but the agency authorities had later informed the apex court that the former Kolkata CP “did not disclose any information crucial to investigation of the chit fund cases and gave evasive replies”, and that he had not cooperated with the investigation.

Rajeev Kumar on the other hand had told the Supreme Court that he was targeted by the CBI due to “mala fide intent” and “conflict of interest” of the investigating agency’s former interim chief M Nageswara Rao. He has also alleged that he was targeted by the CBI as part of the larger conspiracy between two BJP leaders, and had named Mukul Roy and Kailash Vijyawargiya. He told the apex court that there is an audio clip where they clearly speak of “targeting” some “senior police officers”.