Published 17:06 IST, September 23rd 2019
Former Kolkata cop Rajeev Kumar responds to CBI, says 'leave extended'
In yet another development in the Saradha chit fund scam case against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, he has responded to the CBI on Monday
In yet another development in the Saradha chit fund scam case against former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar, he has responded to the CBI on Monday saying that his leave has been extended till September 30. Earlier, Rajeev Kumar's lawyer said that he will be available to face questioning by the CBI after September 25. Meanwhile, after rejection of the anticipatory bail plea by the Barasat and Alipore sessions court, Rajiv Kumar moved to Calcutta High Court for anticipatory bail. Sources said that hearing on the plea can be on September 24.
CBI quizzed Rajeev Kumar's wife
As the search for former Kolkata Police Commissioner Rajeev Kumar has intensified, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday reportedly quizzed his wife over his disappearance and his alleged involvement in the Saradha Chit fund scam. The CBI on Friday also raided various locations including Rajeev Kumar's residence in a bid to find him. As per inputs, Rajeev Kumar's wife was questioned at their residence in Kolkata reportedly by a seven-member CBI team. The CBI team has also searched the Bishnupur Ibiza resort, where Rajeev Kumar was reportedly hiding.
What is Rajeev Kumar's involvement in Saradha case?
The Kolkata Police Commissioner was heading the SIT formed by WB Government to probe the Saradha Chit fund case previously. When the case was handed over to the CBI, the agency stated that Kumar was being allegedly evasive about missing pieces of evidence in relation to the probe and was allegedly trying to shield few politicians. Following this charge, in February 2019, a team of CBI officials arrived at Rajeev Kumar's residence to arrest him. While attempting to arrest the former top cop, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee staged a dharna opposing the arrest of the Police Commissioner by the CBI, citing a violation of the Constitution.
What is Saradha case?
Saradha Chit fund scam is related to a Ponzi scheme set up by Saradha Group led by businessman Sudipto Sen in the early 2000s. A few years later, a large sum of money was raised by the Saradha group. In 2009, the fraudulent ways by which the company raised money started exploding. With the SEBI's actions, the scheme collapsed by 2013 and the owner fled writing a letter that accused several politicians of making poor investments. Many Trinamool MPs are speculated to be a part of the scam.
Updated 17:53 IST, September 23rd 2019