Dramatic CBI vs Kolkata Police face-off spirals out of control, Mamata Banerjee sits on dharna and CBI mulls moving Supreme Court: 10 developments

Drama of highest order broke out on Sunday night in Kolkata as a CBI team's arrival at residence of purportedly 'missing' Kolkata Police CP Rajeev Kumar spiralled to an extent where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is w sitting on a dharna and recieving proclamations of support from various opposition leaders, while probe ncy is mulling approaching Supreme Court over its officers having been arrested. 

Here are ten things you need to kw:

1. matter had been simmering since earlier this morning, as Kolkata Police issued a strong statement dismissing claims that its commissioner of police Rajeev Kumar had gone 'missing' in light of CBI seeking to probe him in connection with Saradha scam, which Kumar had investigated as head of SIT till Supreme Court handed case to CBI. Alongside Kolkata Police, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also issued a statement backing Rajeev Kumar in strongest possible terms, calling him "best in world."

2. Matters reached a head as a CBI team reached residence of Rajeev Kumar on Sunday evening. y were stopped from entering by Kolkata police security which inquired wher y had a warrant. As CBI and Kolkata police faced-off, CBI team was told that Rajeev Kumar wasn't present. At this point, a part of team headed to Shakespeare Sarani Police station, which has jurisdiction over area of Kolkata CP's residence, even as more police personnel arrived.

3. In quick-fire developments, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made her way to epicentre of flashpoint, just as CBI team was detained and taken to Shakespeare Sarani Police station. 

4. Upon her arrival, a quick meeting was held at Rajeev Kumar's residence, even as a number of political leaders began to wade into burgeoning controversy, with Opposition expressing its support for Mamata Banerjee. Senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien called it an attempt at a 'constitutional coup'.

News also broke at this point that Kolkata Police was planning on filing a FIR in matter. 

5. Mamata Banerjee addressed media outside Rajeev Kumar's residence, even as top CBI sources said to Republic TV that officers did have a warrant and also revealed that y suspected that documents were being destroyed in commissioner's office and residence. At this point, as per sources, CBI was considering approaching Goverr of state. 

In her address, Mamata Banerjee launched a scathing attack at Modi government, alleging that this was being done with elections in mind. She denied that re was any wrongdoing by her government in Saradha scam, putting forth that it was her government that had initiated a probe in matter and had ensured that money bwas returned to people who had been scammed. She n anunced that she would be sitting on a Dharna immediately against events of night, but an even bigger reveal was Rajeev Kumar n appearing from his residence and n promptly returning inside.

6. Minutes after Republic Bharat's newsbreak wherein top CBI sources confirmed that Rajeev Kumar had destroyed evidence, Interim CBI Boss Nshwar Rao said to ANI that "re is evidence against him (Rajeev Kumar), he has been instrumental in causing destruction of this evidence and obstructing justice" and "y have taken charge of all evidence, seized all documents. y have t been cooperating with us in handing over all documents and a lot of evidence has been destroyed or caused to disappear."

7. As more and more politicans waded into fray, with Tejashwi Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav, former PM HD Deve Gowda, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, MK Stalin, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and ors chiming in with Mamata Banerjee's claims of 'constitutional coup', ors, such as Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath (who had taken Mamata Banerjee on earlier in day following permission for his rally being denied), Rakesh Sinha taking her on for impeding a probe ordered for by Supreme Court, with latter even seeking Goverr's rule in state.

8. Top sources revealed to Republic Bharat that top CBI brass were huddled in a meeting with government law officers and were considering moving Supreme Court, with apex court's registry even being informed. Republic Bharat n accessed details of CBI's application to Supreme Court. Interim CBI chief Nshwar Rao has confirmed that application will be filed on Monday. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta is likely to appear for CBI, while Abhishek Manu Singhvi may appear for West Bengal government.

9. In a quite extraordinary and emotional appeal from spot of her Dharna, with under-spotlight Rajeev Kumar also joining in, Mamata Banerjee said that she was ready to die if it meant saving democracy:

"We are protesting to save democracy. To stop hooliganism... we respect constitution... all institutes.. Supreme Court... 

We are protesting to save democracy. We respect ncies and court."
 
"Attempts are made to destroy all forces, y have destroyed institutions. 

I thank all political parties who have supported us. This is a super emergency. I will t allow a super emergency."

"Tomorrow y will do same with some or states. I can't let this happen. Our confidence is with people of India, all citizens and media and judiciary. It is an appeal to save India, save constitution, save democracy. Modiji has gone mad."

"Please pay respect to our forces and constitution. I am ready to sacrifice my life, t afraid to die, but I will save country."

"Shortly after that, in a remarkable development, Kolkata police also joined in dharna, even as Goverr of state ordered CRPF to protect all central government installations."

10. Speaking exclusively to Republic TV and Republic Bharat, Interim CBI Director said:

" Joint Director has informed me that officers went and kcked on his(Rajeev Kumar) door and he has a threat of arrest."

We will apprise Supreme Court as to what has happened. investigation that we are doing is on directions of Supreme Court. plea is about what has happened since investigation we are doing is on guidance of SC."

"It is very important to kw larger conspiracy angle which Supreme Court directed should be specially looked into."

"He(Rajeev Kumar) was heading inquiry that collected a lot of evidence. We need to kw where it has gone. Where are call records? Rajeev Kumar needs to be investigated so that he gives all answers. I cant comment more on larger conspiracy."

"Custodial interrogation (of Rajeev Kumar) will be a later step. First we need to examine and interrogate him."

"I cant comment on dharna. highest court of country has directed us. It is duty of every authority and every govt to cooperate."

"This is a part of investigation. We will apprise Supreme Court. We cant file an FIR on our own."

"We request that state police authorities to cooperate with us so that we are able to comprehensively conduct an investigation."

"re is pressure. We are simply conducting investigation as per directions of Supreme Court. As per Section 165 search warrant is required."