Mamata vs CBI: WB CM claims ‘moral victory’ after SC bars CBI from arresting Kolkata top cop

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday hailed the order of the Supreme Court on CBIs’ plea filed against Kolkata top cop Rajeev Kumar in connection with Saradha chit fund scam as a victory for her party and the people in the democracy.

Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday hailed the order of the Supreme Court on CBIs’ plea filed against Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar in connection with Saradha chit fund scam as a victory for her party and the people in the democracy. Addressing the media reporters after Supreme Court bared the CBI from arresting Rajeev Kumar, the TMC Supremo said that she welcomes the Supreme Court’s  verdict and called it absolutely correct. The TMC leader added that her case is very strong and rejected CBI's  claims in their plea filed to the Supreme Court  that the Trinamool Govt and Kolkata Police did not cooperate in the CBI probe on the multi crore chit fund scam. She accused the Modi govt at the Centre of political vendetta against her government. She lashed out at the BJP government saying that no one is the big boss of this country. Democracy is the big boss of this country. She rounded off press conference by saying that she is not pleading for Rajeev Kumar but for the millions of people of this country. When asked as to when will she call off the 'Save the Constitution' dharna, the Bengal CM responded that she would talk to her leaders and take a call accordingly. She would also consult N Chandrababu Naidu and Naveen Patnaik for their opinion as both the leaders gave her their support. The Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the plea of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Saradha chit fund scam case alleging destruction and tampering of  evidence by the Kolkata Police commissioner Rajeev Kumar. On behalf of the CBI, Attorney General (AG) K K Venugopal opened the argument alleging destruction of evidence in the chit-fund scam case. The Supreme Court Tuesday directed Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar to make himself available before the CBI and "faithfully" cooperate with the agency in investigation of cases arising out of the Saradha chit fund scam probe. The apex court said Kumar will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation at Shillong in Meghalaya. The apex court also said no coercive steps, including the arrest of the Kolkata Police chief, will take place during the course of investigation. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi also issued a notice to Kumar and sought his response before February 20, the next date of hearing on the allegations by the CBI that he was tampering with electronic evidence and that the SIT headed by him provided the agency with doctored materials. The Kolkata Police has provided doctored call data records, the AG said. He also said Kolkata Police Commissioner was heading the SIT set up by the West Bengal government to probe the case.