High drama in Kolkata as Police detain CBI officials over top cop Rajeev Kumar's questioning

A team of CBI officials arrived at the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar on Sunday to question him in connection with ponzi scam cases, but was stooped outside by sentries.

KOLKATA: High drama was witnessed in Kolkata on Sunday evening when a team of CBI officials arrived at the residence of Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to question him in connection with ponzi scam cases, but was stopped outside by the police, which lead to a scuffle between the cops and CBI officials. A virtual showdown ensued as Kolkata Police personnel forcefully took away some of the CBI officers to a nearby police station amid commotion, they said. Throwing her weight behind the city police chief, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the Loudon Street residence of Kumar in central Kolkata. There were conflicting reports about some CBI officers being arrested. While the agency sources claimed that some of its men were forcibly taken away from Kumar's Loudon Street residence and arrested, the Kolkata Police denied the claim saying they have been taken to the police station to check if they had the documents required for questioning Kumar. A day after the CBI claimed that Kumar had been "absconding" and "being looked for" in connection with Saradha and Rose Valley ponzi scam cases, a team of 40-odd agency officers arrived at his residence this evening, but they were stopped by sentries and officials. Soon, a team of Kolkata Police officers rushed to the spot to speak to the CBI officials and tried to enquire whether they had required documents to question Kumar. "We don't want to speak on this issue as of now. Let's see what happens. Please wait for sometime," a senior CBI official standing outside the Police commissioner's house told reporters.

West Bengal: Police detains the CBI team which had reached the residence of Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar. The team has now been taken to a police station. pic.twitter.com/YXJJ3d11LL

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019

Later on, a small team of CBI officials was taken to Shakespeare Sarani police station for further discussions. Thereafter, more men arrived at the spot and a commotion ensued. The CBI officers were then forcefully taken to a police station. On being informed about the development, Chief Minister Banerjee, who had earlier extended her support to Kumar and alleged that the BJP was "misusing power to take control of the police and all other institutions", reached the spot. According to the CBI, the IPS officer, who led a Special Investigation Team of West Bengal Police probing the scams, needs to be questioned regarding missing documents and files but he has not responded to notices to appear before the agency.

West Bengal: Police force of Bidhannagar police is present outside the CBI regional office at CGO Complex, Kolkata. pic.twitter.com/qfm5VFgZSy

— ANI (@ANI) February 3, 2019

Kumar, a 1989-batch IPS officer of West Bengal cadre, did not even attend a meeting with Election Commission officials who had gone to Kolkata to review election preparedness, sources said. A statement was issued Sunday from Kolkata Police, dismissing reports of him being missing from work. "Please take note that not only is the CP Kolkata available in the city, but has also been attending office on a regular basis, with the exception of January 31, 2019, when he was on leave for a day. All concerned may please take note that if any news is spread without proper verification, Kolkata Police will initiate strict legal action against defamation of both the CP Kolkata and Kolkata Police," the police said.